Ross Sandler

Civic Fame is the colossal, 25-foot tall gilded female figure in a flowing robe who stands barefoot on a sphere at the top of the Municipal Building overlooking City Hall. Civic Fame, created in 1913 by sculptor Adolph Weinman, carries a five-sectioned crown representing the five boroughs, and a shield and laurel branch representing victory and triumph.

On May 1, 2015, the statue also became the name of a new award by New York Law School. The annual Civic Fame award will honor individuals who have made significant and long term contributions to the civic life of New York City. The four initial honored awardees include a private business leader who accepted major civic assignments, a foundation executive who devoted herself to developing innovative civic programs, a Law Department lawyer who represents the best in the legal profession, and a younger NYLS graduate who has given special service to the Center for New York City Law.  Each awardee received a unique certificate bearing the striking image of Civic Fame.

The initial Civic Fame awards were presented at a ceremony on May 1, 2015 during the 125th CityLaw Breakfast which marked the 20th anniversary of the Center for New York City Law. The awardees honored at the CityLaw Breakfast were:

Stanley Shuman, Allen & Co., has chaired the Center’s Advisory Council for 20 years. His civic work included longtime membership on the Emergency Financial Control Board and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.

Jeffrey Friedlander served as First Deputy of the Law Department for 20 years. He has now retired from the Law Department after 44 years of service.

Mary McCormick is the creative and innovative Executive Director of the Fund for the City of New York, the leader in New York City civic philanthropy. In 1994 she approved the first grant the Center received and continues to support the Center.

Sheila Murphy Aresty is a 1994 graduate of New York Law School and was the first CityLaw Fellow. She has continued to be a major supporter to the Center for New York City Law.

These exceptional New Yorkers represent the best in civic life and have earned the accolade of Civic Fame.

Civic Fame awards for 2016 will be announced at a CityLaw Breakfast in May 2016.

Ross Sandler