A message from Dean Terence Lau L’98:
I am deeply saddened to share that Professor Martin Fried has passed away.
Marty was a distinguished member of our community who dedicated his career to excellence in teaching and service. He earned his B.A. from Antioch College in 1955, his J.D. from Columbia Law School in 1958 as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, and his LL.M. from New York University in 1968. After practicing in New York City and teaching at Washington University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Cincinnati, he joined our faculty and was named the Crandall Melvin Professor of Wills & Trusts in 1990.
Marty was a gifted and dedicated teacher who trained countless attorneys in federal income taxation, trusts and estates, and property law. He authored Taxation of Securities Transactions and numerous articles on tax and trusts and estates. His commitment to students extended well beyond the classroom—he was known for his encouragement and mentorship, helping students find their path even in difficult moments. One alumnus, now a partner at Baker & McKenzie, recalled: “When I was 20 years old and a 1L, and others were telling me to drop out, Marty told me: Let’s see how they would be doing at 20. Stick with it. Find your way. I became a tax lawyer because of him.”
Beyond teaching, Marty served the Law School and broader community in many ways. He served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, founded and directed our LL.M. in Taxation Program in the 1990s, coached intercollegiate tax teams, and helped reform the Moot Court Program. He was deeply involved in faculty governance at both the College and University level, and volunteered at Housing Court helping those facing eviction. He was a member of the American Law Institute and later served as of counsel at Hancock & Estabrook LLP.
Marty was also a devoted internationalist who traveled abroad with our Law in London program. Together with his late wife Daisy Fried, who worked in Syracuse University’s Study Abroad program, Marty and Daisy were fixtures on campus and beloved members of our broader University community. Marty was also an avid runner and tennis player, part of the College of Law “runners club” whose members could be seen jogging around campus.
On a personal note, Professor Fried was my 1L Property professor. He will be greatly missed.
Services:
Synagogue Service Thursday, February 5th at 11:00 AM Temple Beth Shalom 1050 S Tuttle Ave Sarasota, FL 34237 (941) 955-8121
Cemetery Service Sunday, February 8th at 10:00 or 11:00 AM Temple Adath Yeshurun Cemetery 924 Jamesville Avenue Syracuse, NY 13210
Read his obituary.
