Career: Yale Law; 26 years at NY office Baker & McKenzie doing “international law”; International Partner 20 years; helped create world’s first broadly international law firm; travel and friends worldwide. 2000 joined NY boutique Fox Horan doing whatever interests me (no mandatory retirement). Fulfilling, ground-breaking, lucky career with always something new.
I’ve come to accept my ingrained receptivity to taking on apparent lost causes against overwhelming adversaries who pushed me just too far. Twice I’ve been a seeming doomed whistleblower; each struggle went on for several years; and somehow I prevailed. Now in the midst of a third extended challenge, I hope to go three for three.
Beyond these headstrong episodes, I’ve realized what a lucky life has been granted me. After our parental generation’s 16 years of economic depression and world war (my mother’s family escaped Germany in 1939), I was born in the right place at the right time. It was a given our generation would advance and prosper beyond our parents. (Not a given now.)
I had the luck to apply to Yale just when the Ivy League broadly opened up to boys of my background; to enter the law firm world just when top tier firms likewise opened up; and to begin practice when there was a fair shot to grab the prized partner ring. Timing does matter and, for me, has made a strong difference.
Obituary for the Yale Alumni Magazine:
Norman Jakob Resnicow (BA ‘69 (Pierson), JD ‘72) passed away on May 4, 2024, at the
age of 76 following a series of illnesses.
After his graduation from Yale Law School, he entered the bustling world of New York City law firms. Throughout his career as an attorney, Norman applied his exceptional intelligence and innovative “out-of-the-box” thinking to a diverse array of legal practice areas. His dedication and excellence in his profession were duly recognized in 2016 when he was honored with the prestigious Award for Professionalism by the NY State Bar Association, an accolade granted to only one recipient annually.
In the last years of his career, Norman demonstrated his commitment to justice by taking on cases defending individuals wrongfully terminated from their employment.
Norman’s legacy extends far beyond his professional achievements. He will be fondly remembered for his unwavering willingness to extend a helping hand to anyone in need, in any capacity possible. His spirit of service was exemplified by his 25-year tenure on the board of HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society), where he served as Treasurer for many years. In this role, Norman’s activism positively impacted thousands of refugees,asylum seekers, and forcibly displaced individuals worldwide, aiding them in rebuilding their shattered lives.
Away from the rigors of the legal world, Norman found solace in his passions for nature, travel, and the arts.
Barbara Jane Resnicow
Norman is survived by his wife of nearly 54 years, Barbara (BArch YR), and his two sons, who have grown into accomplished men with families of their own.
Norman‘s indelible mark on both the legal profession and humanitarian efforts will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
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The above is compiled from the sources indicated. If you have recollections, reminiscences or stories, or want to add anything to the above, please either comment below with “Leave A Reply” or email your thoughts to Dan Seiver (seiverda@miamioh.edu) and Wayne Willis (support@Yale1969.org). If you have any good pictures, send them to Wayne, and he can add them to this post manually.
I’ve come to accept my ingrained receptivity to taking on apparent lost causes against overwhelming adversaries who pushed me just too far. Twice I’ve been a seeming doomed whistleblower; each struggle went on for several years; and somehow I prevailed. Now in the midst of a third extended challenge, I hope to go three for three.
