lwa kicks off "academy connections" with a law networking event

November 19, 2007

David Feldman ('78W) and Barbra Barth Feldman ('82W) hosted our first Academy Connections networking event for those considering a career in law or looking for networking opportunities to advance their career on Thursday, November 15, 2007 in Manhattan.

Guest speaker Robert Silbering spoke to a group consisting of lawyers, future lawyers, past lawyers, alumni, and three current LWA seniors.

Robert's own career began in the Manhattan Dictrict Attorney's Office in 1974 where he was an Assistant District Attorney. In a few short years, he was named Chief of the newly formed Juvenile Offense Bureau. He spoke of his first high profile case, which made New York one of the first states able to prosecute violent youthful offenders as adults.

Willie Bosket, the defendant, was sentenced to five years in a juvenile facility for the murder of two individuals and the attempted murder of a third person. This outcome angered the community and helped enact the Juvenile Offender Act of 1978. The case inspired the book titled "All God's Children" as well as captivated an audience of Lawrence Woodmere Academy students and alumni.

Robert shared many stories from his years in public service, each with a surprise ending. "The money was at the bottom of the cans of olives!" he said at the end of one such story about his eventual work as the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for New York City.

The seniors, Phil Demers, Brittany Loweree, and Jordan Karson, were advised that the study of law is not just about being a lawyer, that the study of law can be applied to anything.

Alumni who would like to serve as a mentor at this event or to join the Academy Connections program, should contact Corinne M. King at cking@lwa.ny.k12us.com.