Boies Schiller Flexner co-founder and Managing Partner Jonathan Schiller has received Columbia Law School’s highest honor, the Medal for Excellence. The award is presented annually to alumni and past or present faculty members who exemplify the qualities of character, intellect, and social and professional responsibility that the Law School seeks to instill in its students.
Dean Gillian Lester presented the award to Schiller and to Nina L. Shaw, the founding partner of Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein & Lezcano, at the Law School’s 70th Annual Winter Luncheon in New York City on February 22.
“Nina Shaw and Jonathan Schiller are Columbians who, by any stretch of the definition, are leaders in their fields, the profession, and in our society,” said Dean Lester in bestowing the medals. “Like so many Columbia Law alumni before them, they have been called upon to lead, to guide institutions, and to help make some of society’s most important decisions.”
In addition to being one of the most highly regarded commercial litigators and arbitration lawyers in the world, Schiller also served for nearly five years as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Columbia University. In recognition of his professional attainment and distinguished service to Columbia, he received the Alexander Hamilton Medal in 2012 for “distinguished service and accomplishment” and the John Jay Award in 2006 for “distinguished professional achievement.” He was also elected a fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
Reflecting on his experience at Columbia Law School, Schiller said in his remarks, “Columbia Law School is idealistic, constructive, and practical, and believes in the future. It bridges scholarship and action. It is interdisciplinary and global. It has long trained aspiring lawyers to jump into the arena, to try to make a difference. It taught that to me, and fueled my passion for the work ahead.”