Stephen Zack, the immediate past president of the American Bar Association, has donated $800,000 to his alma mater — The University of Florida Levin College of Law. In return, the law school has named a previously unnamed building after him.
With the funds, the law school is establishing the Stephen N. Zack Law Endowment, which will provide funds to enhance academic programs that advance student knowledge of legal ethics and professionalism as well as increasing diversity, two of Zack’s priorities while ABA president.
Florida’s Trust Fund for Major Gifts will match 70 percent of Zack’s donation, bringing the total to about $1.3 million for the endowment.
Zack received both his undergraduate and law degree at Florida.
“I owe so much to the University of Florida Levin College of Law for my professional life that I have always wanted to do something to express my gratitude which would also promote diversity,” Zack said.
Zack has dedicated his career to the advancement of the legal profession and championing the cause of increasing diversity. As ABA president, he also tackled key issues such as the underfunding of the courts, disaster preparedness and civic education. One of his accomplishments was the establishment of the Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities.
Zack was born in Detroit, but lived in Cuba until his family fled when he 14. He has had many successes in the legal profession, including serving as a trial attorney for Vice President Al Gore during the historic case, Bush v. Gore. In 2010 he became the first Hispanic president of the ABA. Zack was also the first Hispanic and youngest president of the Florida Bar, and one of the first members of the Cuban-American Bar Association.
