Sharing Our Memories: John Feerick
4.24.2026
In honor of our 150th anniversary, we asked longtime, involved members for their recollections of the New York State Bar Association.
John Feerick, dean emeritus at Fordham Law School, remembered when he learned he would be honored with the Gold Medal Award in 1996.
“I was stunned when I was asked to receive the Gold Medal of the New York State Bar Association. I remember the president at the time, Maxwell Pfeifer – from the Bronx – wanted me to know when he called me to tell me about the Gold Medal that I was the first recipient from the Bronx, where I grew up. It’s a moment that was very special to me in my life.”
Feerick also reflected on how the New York State Bar Association amplifies issues of national importance, including his work drafting the 25th Amendment, which established the line of presidential succession.
“Early on in my life, I had a chance to be involved with constitutional amendments having to do with the 25th Amendment to the Constitution and an effort to change the Electoral College.
“I found an opportunity to write on those subjects for the New York State Bar Association Journal. I was very proud to write on the subjects I mentioned – and also the president’s pardoning power. It reflected public services that I was rendering at the time. Having an opportunity to communicate to the profession through the publications of the New York State Bar Association, I found very attractive.”
Do you have a special memory you want to share in honor of our 150th anniversary? Email rmelnitsky@nysba.org and your memory may be featured on our website.
