Fifty Years and Counting

Our lives are measured by milestones. Recently, I attended the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law’s 50th reunion for my graduating class of 1972, and was welcomed into the Golden Barrister’s Society. Perhaps one becomes more “golden” as they age. Certainly, my sharp edges have become more burnished. We are formed by our educational experiences, and I credit my law school with providing me with unique externships that permitted me to see how the people’s law is really practiced, and that formed my interest in civil rights law.

At the time I attended law school, it was unusual for law students to leave their halls of learning to receive “real world” experience. I am proud to say that my law school is now one of the top 10 law schools that supports an externship program which places more than 600 students a year with non-profits, legal aid organizations, judicial chambers, state and federal public defenders, and local, state and federal government agencies. Many of these students continue to practice in the areas of law in which they served an externship.

In 1972, Denver was not the vaunted city it now is. In fact, the most exciting yearly event was the rodeo coming to town, and cowboys roamed the streets. Yes, really! One of my favorite restaurants encouraged patrons to throw peanut shells on the floor after eating the peanuts. I was active in student government and served on the Denver Law Journal and, because of those activities, was invited, along with other participating students, to the Dean’s rustic mountain retreat. The Dean’s father was a lawyer, and in exchange for providing services to a client who couldn’t afford to pay him, he was deeded a mountain property. The brutal “road” to the property consisted of a series of ruts, memorable because modern-style SUVs had not yet been invented. But, once we reached the top of the mountain we were treated to a delicious meal of grilled steak, baked beans and salad. So important was this event to me that, yes, truly, I remember the menu.

I stand on the shoulders of the education I received at the University of Denver.

My law school was also more diverse than many schools, and was comprised of students of varied backgrounds and national origins. I was one of only five women in my class, and the only woman student to attend the reunion. I credit my law school with providing me with the education and experience to excel in litigation against large entities and organizations in Philadelphia, a large east coast city with established ways and institutions, for the purpose of furthering the civil rights of my clients. I may be a Philadelphia lawyer, but my perspective and skills derive from a greater exposure and a larger footprint.

What this means 50 years later.

Some of the most significant events that occurred in 1972 warrant comparison with what is happening 50 years later.

  1. The Watergate Scandal started when five White House operatives were arrested for burglarizing the offices of the Democratic National Committee. This scandal led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation. Unfortunately, politics haven’t changed much, with ongoing scandals, resignations, vitriol and disputes occurring in the political arena. We might say that this event helped prepare us, unknowingly, to deal with our current situation.
  2. Eleven Israeli athletes were murdered by Black September gunmen at the Munich Olympics. Unfortunately, the Arab-Israeli conflict continues and issues regularly arise at the Olympics. Even worse, anti-Semitism is on the rise again and vicious falsehoods are being spread by incendiary social media posts and touted by shallow and disturbed leaders and social media “influencers.”
  3. There were major Vietnam antiwar demonstrations in cities throughout the US. America still has regular demonstrations for issues no longer war-related. Unfortunately, we have become inured and a bit desensitized by many of these demonstrations. Sadly, they no longer have the impact they once did.

As is often said, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Like every profession, the Law has evolved considerably in 50 years, especially because of changes in technology. Yet, it remains the same in many ways. For the average person, the Law remains a people business, wherein lawyers provide a service and try to help people circumvent problems within a changing society.  Looking back 50 years, it is hard to believe that so much time has passed but, looking forward, I am honored to have been able to, and to continue to, assist thousands of clients in solving their problems. The Law is a difficult career. It is intellectually challenging, requires constant education and dedication and is intensely competitive.  I am proud of my accomplishments, I am proud to have been a “female pioneer” as someone recently called me, and I am proud to have had an accomplished career.

Thank you, University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law!

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Faye Riva Cohen has provided personalized, creative, and zealous legal representation to clients in the areas of Employment and Labor Law, Civil Rights and Discrimination, Estate Planning and Litigation, Real Estate, and Family Law for more than four decades. She enjoys a well-earned reputation for successfully litigating multi-faceted, complex cases against large and powerful adversaries, often in David and Goliath situations.

Please feel free to get in touch with Faye at: frc@fayerivacohen.com or 215.563.7776.