Leadership
Evan Chesler, Following Storied Career as a Litigator, Becomes Chair of the NYU Board of Trustees
A gathering at the New York Public Library celebrated his legacy (so far).
On the evening of October 26, 2023, the music of jazz crooners reverberated off the glass dome ceiling of the Celeste Bartos Forum at the New York Public Library, where more than 100 guests gathered to celebrate the career of Evan Chesler.
As they mingled, the lights dimmed and the familiar lyrics of Survivor’s 1982 rock hit “Eye of the Tiger” came up over the speaker system. Guests turned their attention to four monitors, which began to play a video highlighting milestones in Evan’s life.
Rising up, straight to the top. Had the guts, got the glory.
While the rock anthem struck a surprising chord for the evening, Presiding Partner Faiza Saeed, who orchestrated the interlude, felt it was the perfect choice. First, the song was released in 1982, the year that Evan became a partner at Cravath. Second, the lyrics “capture who Evan is,” she told the assembled guests.
“I was struck the first time I worked closely with Evan that despite all the plaudits and reverence that come with great success, Evan never lost the work ethic to get his hands dirty in the way you must to have a complete mastery of your case.”
– Faiza Saeed
“I was struck the first time I worked closely with Evan that despite all the plaudits and reverence that come with great success, Evan never lost the work ethic to get his hands dirty in the way you must to have a complete mastery of your case,” she said, toasting him from a podium.
Evan built his track record as a litigator on a series of bet-the-company cases, but his legacy at Cravath is defined as much by his successes in the courtroom as it is by those outside of it. Over the course of nearly five decades at the Firm, he has held a series of leadership positions and served as a mentor to generations of lawyers. He became Head of the Litigation Department in 1996, Deputy Presiding Partner in 2005, Presiding Partner in 2007, and the Firm’s first Chairman in 2013.
Despite his extensive resume, the gathering at the New York Public Library was decidedly not a retirement party but a “cheers” to the future. Having recently transitioned from Cravath, it marked the beginning of a new chapter for Evan, notably as he takes on the role of Chair of the New York University Board of Trustees.
“True to form for a man who’s gone the distance,” Faiza joked, again referencing the song, “he’s not going to stop.”
On September 1, 2023, Evan began his role as Chair. His history with NYU goes back to his freshman year there in 1966; he later graduated from the NYU School of Law. During his career, he has held a variety of advisory roles and teaching positions at the university, including as a trustee since 2006.
In his time as a member of the board, he has been particularly committed to the issue of affordability. A recipient of scholarships that made his education possible, Evan firmly believes that money should not be a barrier to the transformative power of education. Notably, he chaired the university’s “Momentum Campaign,” which raised more than $1 billion for student financial aid.
As the clock neared the stated end time of the celebration, the energy and enthusiasm of the guests showed no signs of fading. In a unanimous decision, organizers extended the event—a fitting tribute to the fact that Evan Chesler’s influence and impact continue on.
