On Wednesday, May 11, more than 100 members of the Hofstra Law community celebrated the life and work of Eric J. Schmertz at the University Club. Professor Emeritus Schmertz was a founding faculty member and served as Dean from 1982-1989.

During the memorial service, University leadership, faculty, alumni and members of the Schmertz family spoke about Eric’s passion for the law, zest for life and unique style that made him a legend both at the University and beyond. A common theme emerged – that while Eric Schmertz took his work very seriously, he never took himself too seriously. In one popular example, Eric had created a video for a faculty retreat in the 1980s in which he dressed as General Patton – with no detail spared – and stood in front of a wall-sized American flag, delivering a message that called on the faculty to advance the institution to greatness. 

Eric also had a long and distinguished public-service career including senior labor relations appointments by Governors Rockefeller, Cuomo and Spitzer, Mayor Dinkins and President George H.W. Bush. He played pivotal roles in resolving high-profile labor disputes including the New York City nursing home strike of 1978, the apartment house strike in 1979, the strike of the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes in 1967 and the private sanitation strike of 1991.

Speakers at the memorial included: Stuart Rabinowitz, President, Hofstra University; Herman A. Berliner, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Hofstra University; Nora V. Demleitner, Dean, Hofstra Law School; Eric Lane, Eric J. Schmertz Distinguished Professor of Public Law and Public Service and Associate Dean for Intellectual Life, Hofstra Law School; John DeWitt Gregory, Sidney and Walter Siben Distinguished Professor of Family Law, Hofstra Law School; Jeffrey P. Englander ’75, Partner, Labor and Employment Practice, Morrison Cohen LLP; Joanne F. Goldstein ’74, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Musical performances included songs by members of the Inis Fada Gaelic Pipe Band and The Bronx Opera Company.