Class Note 1985
I hope everyone is sitting down and not holding any sharp instruments, as I am about to share some shocking news. In what seems to be as common an occurrence as breathing, Sue Finegan has received yet another accolade. Read on my friends: Attorney Susan M. Finegan received the Massachusetts Bar Foundation’s (MBF) Great Friend of Justice Award, which is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated an extraordinary passion for justice, consistent with the MBF’s values and mission of increasing access to justice throughout Massachusetts. Ms. Finegan is a nationally recognized pro bono pioneer with a passion for helping underserved populations. As chair of Mintz’s pro bono committee, she leads groundbreaking cases and manages pro bono matters for the firm. She helped to defeat President Trump’s first immigration travel ban in early 2017, engineered the passage of a Massachusetts restraining order law for sexual assault survivors, and created several innovative statewide model pro bono programs in Massachusetts. As a member and current co-chair of the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission for several years, Ms. Finegan has been a tireless and innovative advocate for low-income people in Massachusetts and beyond. She has spearheaded creative funding mechanisms to support legal aid organizations and developed the statewide civil appellate pro bono program for self-represented litigants. Five years ago she cofounded the Access to Justice Fellows program, through which more than 110 retired and retiring lawyers have devoted more than 85,000 pro bono hours at legal services organizations, nonprofits, and the courts. Way to go, Sue! Who says Tom Brady is the most well-known New Englander?
Speaking of fan favorites, from the increasingly popular South Fayer “Where Are They Now?” series (subscriptions still available), Scott Erdman shared an update, snapping a 34-year drought. In November 2018 Scott married Greg Merten, his partner of 21 years, at their home in Palm Springs, California, in a small, private ceremony. In March they celebrated with an extended group of friends and family, including seven Dartmouth alums (Scott, Todd Cohen, Joe Capello ’82, Pat Connolly, Susan Dawson ’84, John Urbanowicz ’76, Laura Erdman-Luntz ’92). No word from Scott if any celebratory toasts included Bones Gate Fogcutters. On the professional side, Scott spent most of his post Dartmouth-Tuck years working for multi-brand retailers in San Francisco and N.Y.C.: Macy’s, a couple of LVMH retailers (DFS and eLuxury), Saks Fifth Avenue, and some digital startups. Moving to Denver in 2016, Scott helped eBags.com build its business and valuation before it sold in 2017. Scott and Greg considered semi-retirement and moved to their home in Palm Springs. About a year ago Scott received an offer to return to N.Y.C. and manage the travel handbag brand Baggallini, with the intent of building the brand and making it an attractive acquisition target. Congrats, Scott, and thanks for the news!
Who’s next to share news? You don’t even have to be a South Fayer alum to do so!
—John MacManus, 188 Ringwood Road, Rosemont, PA 19010; (610) 525-4541; slampong@aol.com; Leslie A. Davis Dahl, 83 Pecksland Road, Greenwich, CT 06831; (203) 552-0070; dahlleslie@yahoo.com
