We have some incredibly unfortunate news to report out of New York, where the former chair of Am Law 100 firm Paul Weiss recently passed away.
Alfred Youngwood, 87, joined the firm in 1964 following a clerkship in the Southern District of New York. While at Paul Weiss, he rose to prominence as a tax attorney, and became a partner in 1970. Later, in 1999, Youngwood became the firm’s first democratically elected chair. After serving for about a decade as chair, he retired to a counsel position in 2009, following a 40-year stint at the firm.
The American Lawyer noted current chair Brad Karp’s poignant words about Youngwood in a firmwide email:
Karp said that Youngwood was a “role model for me personally, guiding and supporting me throughout my career at the firm.”
“In my May 2008 remarks upon being elected to succeed Alfred, I told my partners that I was following in the footsteps of towering giants who loved our firm and that Alfred Youngwood was at the top of that list,” Karp added.
…
Karp also lauded Youngwood’s tenure as chair of the firm. “Not only did Paul, Weiss become one of the most profitable law firms in the country during Alfred’s decade as chairman, but our culture and dedication to pro bono work, diversity, and associate development all flourished as well,” he wrote.
Karp went on to refer to Youngwood as “one of our nation’s most distinguished tax attorneys and business advisors,” praising him as “brilliant, endlessly creative and a dogged problem-solver.”
We here at Above the Law would like to extend our condolences to Alfred Youngwood’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
Alfred Youngwood, Former Paul Weiss Chair, Dies at 87 [American Lawyer]
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
The post Former Chair Of Top 15 Biglaw Firm Passes Away appeared first on Above the Law.
We have some incredibly unfortunate news to report out of New York, where the former chair of Am Law 100 firm Paul Weiss recently passed away.
Alfred Youngwood, 87, joined the firm in 1964 following a clerkship in the Southern District of New York. While at Paul Weiss, he rose to prominence as a tax attorney, and became a partner in 1970. Later, in 1999, Youngwood became the firm’s first democratically elected chair. After serving for about a decade as chair, he retired to a counsel position in 2009, following a 40-year stint at the firm.
The American Lawyer noted current chair Brad Karp’s poignant words about Youngwood in a firmwide email:
Karp said that Youngwood was a “role model for me personally, guiding and supporting me throughout my career at the firm.”
“In my May 2008 remarks upon being elected to succeed Alfred, I told my partners that I was following in the footsteps of towering giants who loved our firm and that Alfred Youngwood was at the top of that list,” Karp added.
…
Karp also lauded Youngwood’s tenure as chair of the firm. “Not only did Paul, Weiss become one of the most profitable law firms in the country during Alfred’s decade as chairman, but our culture and dedication to pro bono work, diversity, and associate development all flourished as well,” he wrote.
Karp went on to refer to Youngwood as “one of our nation’s most distinguished tax attorneys and business advisors,” praising him as “brilliant, endlessly creative and a dogged problem-solver.”
We here at Above the Law would like to extend our condolences to Alfred Youngwood’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
Alfred Youngwood, Former Paul Weiss Chair, Dies at 87 [American Lawyer]
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
