Milbank LLP chairman Scott A. Edelman and Prudential Financial general counsel Ann M. Kappler received the 54th Annual George A. Katz Torch of Learning Award (TOL), presented by American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) at Cipriani Midtown on May 9.
At the annual luncheon event, attended by more than 300 guests, Pamela Emmerich, president of AFHU, said: “AFHU is proud to honor Ann Kappler and Scott Edelman, two extraordinarily accomplished individuals who add luster to the Torch of Learning Award. Throughout their careers, they have distinguished themselves in the legal profession and their community.”
The George A. Katz Torch of Learning Award is named in memory of the late George Katz, founding partner of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.
As executive vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer at Prudential Financial, Ann M. Kappler is the head of Law, Compliance, Business Ethics and External Affairs, leading a global team of 1,100-plus employees. She serves on the boards of directors of the Pro Bono Partnership (treasurer), and the National Health Law Program (chair). She has also actively served on the boards of the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, Appleseed Foundation, and Global Rights and was a longtime member of the board of trustees of the Lowell School in Washington, D.C., where she served as chair. Kappler is a frequent speaker on topics such as legal and compliance best practices, diversity, and inclusion, and is an advocate for workplace mental-health issues.
David Ogden, chair of the WilmerHale Government and Regulatory Litigation Group, presented Kappler with her award.
“I am so honored to be receiving the prestigious George A. Katz Torch of Learning Award together with Scott Edelman,” said Kappler. “Hebrew University’s Faculty of Law is the preeminent law school in Israel, which educates outstanding future global leaders and innovators. I am humbled to be recognized by an institution that has graduated so many distinguished legal scholars. I thank American Friends of the Hebrew University and am supportive of their efforts.”
Scott A. Edelman is chairman of Milbank LLP and a member of the firm’s Litigation & Arbitration Group. He specializes in high-stakes, bet-the-company litigation across several substantive areas of the law, including securities, commercial, and white-collar crime. Before joining Milbank, he served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York from 1990 to 1994. Edelman started his career at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and is a member of the board of directors of the Legal Aid Society.
Atara Miller, a New York partner in the Milbank LLP Litigation & Arbitration Group and a member of its Global Executive Committee presented Edelman with his award.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this award, together with my esteemed colleague, Ann Kappler,” Edelman said. “The Hebrew University of Jerusalem serves a vital role in educating Israel’s next generation of leading minds. In these uncertain times, the support that American Friends of the Hebrew University provides to this critical institution is more important than ever.”
In addition, the featured speaker—professor Tomer Broude, dean of the Hebrew University Faculty of Law—gave a talk on “Oct. 7 and its Aftermath: Legal Challenges and Responses.”
Now in its 54th year, the Torch of Learning Award has an illustrious history, raising awareness and important support for the Hebrew University Faculty of Law and the mission of its American Friends.
Hebrew University’s Faculty of Law is a dynamic institution where traditional legal research is conducted along with trailblazing programs in international law, multidisciplinary studies, and human rights research. Hebrew University law alumni include the majority of Israel’s former Supreme Court justices (many now faculty members), legislators, attorneys-general, social activists, and heads of NGOs.
This year, the Torch of Learning had an unparalleled number of co-chairs supporting the event. These include:
Lorie Almon, Seyfarth Shaw LLP; Amanda S. Amert, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP; Daniel D. Bartfeld, Milbank LLP; Michael B. Carlinsky, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP; H. Rodgin Cohen, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; Stephen M. Cutler, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP; Joshua Dubin, Dubin Research and Consulting; Erwin Dweck, Milbank LLP; Adam O. Emmerich, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz; Laura Geist, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP; David J. Greenwald, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP; Sandra D. Hauser, Dentons US LLP.
Gina Hough, Carlton Fields, P.A.; Brad S. Karp, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LP; Meredith E. Kotler, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP; Andrew J. Levander, Dechert LLP; Lori A. Martin, WilmerHale LLP; David Meister, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; Nicole Levin Mesard, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP; Atara Miller, Milbank LLP; Gary P. Naftalis, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP; Daniel A. Neff, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz; Maeve O’Connor; Debevoise & Plimpton LLP.
David W. Ogden, WilmerHale LLP; Tricia B. O’Reilly, Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga, LLP; Steven R. Peikin, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; Jonathan Rosenberg, O’Melveny & Myers LLP; Vincent A. Sama, Seyfarth Shaw LLP; Jed M. Schwartz, Milbank LLP.
Eric Schwimmer, Prudential Financial; Scott A. Sinder, Steptoe LLP; Orin S. Snyder, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP; Ira Lee Sorkin, Mintz & Gold LLP; Avi Weitzman, Paul Hastings LLP; Barry M. Wolf, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.
About American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU): American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) is a national, not-for-profit organization based in the United States. AFHU is headquartered in New York and has seven regional offices working in close partnership with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. AFHU provides supporters, Hebrew University alumni and the public with stimulating programs and events, and organizes missions to Israel. For the past century, the organization’s activities have supported scholarly and scientific achievement at HU, created scholarships, funded new facilities and assisted the University’s efforts to recruit outstanding new faculty. For more information, click here. Follow us on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter X | Instagram | YouTube.