College of Law community mourns loss of Professor Richard I. Goldsmith

College of Law community mourns loss of Professor Richard I. GoldsmithMarch 17, 2008SU News ServicesSUnews@syr.edu

Board of Advisors Professor of Law Richard I. Goldsmith, 66, passed away on March 13 after a long illness. He was a professor in the College of Law since September 1970 and was one of the most beloved and respected members of the College of Law community.

“Professor Goldsmith was a teacher and mentor to countless individuals over their law school careers and beyond,” says Dean Hannah R. Arterian. “He cared so deeply about the development of students moving into the legal profession. We are so saddened by his death and extend our deepest sympathy to his family.”

For many years, Professor Goldsmith served as chair of the College of Law Appointments Committee and was instrumental in bringing dozens of new faculty members to the college. He directed the Environmental Law Clinic, organized the Public Interest Law Firm and taught administrative law, environmental law, government regulation and federal civil procedure. Before coming to SU, he was in private practice, specializing in corporate litigation.

He earned an A.B. degree from the University of Rochester and an LL.B. degree from New York University, where he was a John Norton Pomeroy Scholar and a member of the New York University Law Review.

Funeral services will be private. A memorial service for Professor Goldsmith will be held in Hendricks Chapel on Friday, March 28 at 4 p.m. The service will last about an hour, and will be followed by a reception for the family and our community in the Heritage Alumni Lounge in E.I.White Hall.