A message from Dean Terence Lau:
This is a profound loss for our community. Gary was a cornerstone of Syracuse University College of Law for fifty years, joining our faculty in 1975 and retiring just this past year in 2025. His impact on generations of students, colleagues, and legal professionals cannot be overstated.
A gifted teacher with an extraordinary memory, Gary was known for his ability to recall, in astonishing detail, cases, citations, and the doctrinal nuances that shaped the fields he loved. He taught an exceptional range of courses over the decades, including Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Federal Indian Law, Federal Courts, and Conflict of Laws. His students, many of whom went on to serve as judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and leaders across New York State and the nation, regularly spoke of his rigor, high expectations, and deep commitment to their education.
Gary’s career reflected a rare blend of scholarly depth, teaching excellence, and meaningful engagement with the profession. His scholarship focused on the development of criminal procedure in New York State, and he shared his expertise widely through judicial trainings, attorney education programs, and service on statewide initiatives, including a gubernatorial appointment to the Grand Jury Project.
His professional service was equally remarkable. Over the years, he served as Chief Assistant District Attorney in Onondaga County, co-counsel in the Oneida land claim litigation, and counsel to several law firms. His work on behalf of victims targeted under J. Edgar Hoover earned him the Cleveland ACLU’s Civil Libertarian of the Year Award in 1978. Gary also co-directed our Law in London Externship Program and was a generous mentor whose door was always open, no matter how busy he was.
Beyond all of these accomplishments, Gary was a cherished colleague, thoughtful, witty, and unfailingly supportive. We know that many in our community will feel this loss deeply.
Read his obituary.
