Home: New Jersey. Age: 63. Birthplace: Somerville, NJ. Profession: Bankruptcy, restructuring and commercial real estate law and consulting. Organization: Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP; Advisory Consulting LLC. Title: Principal. Alma mater: The Pingry School (cum laude, 1981); Brown University (1985, American History and Literature); Cardozo School of Law. A family tradition: Brown runs in the family. My spouse and two of my three children are also Brown graduates.
Current project: Performing music and remaining active in the Tenafly and Temple Sinai of Bergen County communities. Recent recognition: Recognized as a Super Lawyer for more than 15 consecutive years. Latest contribution to others: Eleven years on the Board of Trustees of Temple Sinai of Bergen County, along with ongoing pro bono work for individuals, small businesses and local nonprofits. What’s been your big (or biggest) leap? Building and running my own boutique bankruptcy firm for more than 20 years, growing it into one of the country's leading Chapter 11 debtor firms by case volume. Hobbies: Performing music, field recording live concerts and coaching youth sports at the recreational and travel levels.
What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Mensch. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Candor, integrity and problem-solving. What is your greatest joy? My family. What word or phrase do you use far too often? Love you. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Teachers. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Music stores. What is at the top of your bucket list? Egypt and Morocco. How do you relieve stress? Walking my dogs.
What was your first paying job? Roy Rogers in high school. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Risk. What book have you repeatedly read? Born to Run, by Bruce Springsteen. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Dune (David Lynch version). What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Concert posters. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My in-laws and brothers. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Always be truthful. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Going to Brown University.
What is your big idea?
Writing a book about my legal career.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Bringing more listening to the practice of law. What change would you like to see in the world? The end of fascism and fundamentalism. What message do you want to send out into the world? Love thy neighbor. What widely held belief do you reject? That there is only one right way to look at things.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Do the Right Thing. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Jesse Eisenberg. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My parents, grandparents, in-laws and friends who died too young. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? Archaeologist. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My guitars. What advice would you give your younger self? Always be true to yourself. What moments in your life would you choose to re-live? The births of my three children and granddaughter.
Personal mission: Helping people who are in trouble. Personal motto: Always better to give than receive. Desired epitaph: He was a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend.
