Milbank LLP Chairman Scott A. Edelman and Prudential Financial General Counsel Ann M. Kappler received the 54th Annual George A. Katz Torch of Learning Award (TOL), presented by American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) at Cipriani Midtown.
At the annual luncheon event, attended by over 300 guests, AFHU President Pamela Emmerich said, “AFHU is proud to honor Ann Kappler and Scott Edelman, two extraordinarily accomplished individuals who add luster to the Torch of Learning Award. Throughout their careers, they have distinguished themselves in the legal profession and their community.”
The George A. Katz Torch of Learning Award is named in memory of the late George Katz (z’l), founding partner of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.
As executive vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer at Prudential Financial, Ann M. Kappler is the head of Law, Compliance, Business Ethics and External Affairs, leading a global team of over 1,100 employees. She serves on the boards of directors of the Pro Bono Partnership (treasurer), and the National Health Law Program (chair). She has also actively served on the boards of the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, Appleseed Foundation and Global Rights and was a longtime member of the board of trustees of the Lowell School in Washington, D.C., where she served as chair. Ann is a frequent speaker on topics such as legal and compliance best practices, diversity and inclusion, and is an advocate for workplace mental health issues.
David Ogden, chair of the WilmerHale Government and Regulatory Litigation Group, presented Kappler with her award.
“I am so honored to be receiving the prestigious George A. Katz Torch of Learning Award together with Scott Edelman,” said Kappler. “Hebrew University’s Faculty of Law is the preeminent law school in Israel, which educates outstanding future global leaders and innovators. I am humbled to be recognized by an institution that has graduated so many distinguished legal scholars. I thank American Friends of the Hebrew University and am supportive of their efforts.”
Scott A. Edelman is Chairman of Milbank LLP and a member of the firm’s Litigation & Arbitration Group. He specializes in high-stakes, bet-the-company litigation across several substantive areas of the law, including securities, commercial and white-collar crime. Prior to joining Milbank, he served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York from 1990 to 1994. Edelman started his career at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Aid Society.
Atara Miller, a New York partner in the Milbank LLP Litigation & Arbitration Group and a member of its Global Executive Committee presented Edelman with his award.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this award, together with my esteemed colleague, Ann Kappler,” Edelman said. “The Hebrew University of Jerusalem serves a vital role in educating Israel’s next generation of leading minds. In these uncertain times, the support that American Friends of the Hebrew University provides to this critical institution is more important than ever.”
In addition, featured speaker, Prof. Tomer Broude dean of the Hebrew University Faculty of Law, gave a talk on “October 7th and its Aftermath: Legal Challenges and Responses.”
Now in its 54th year, the Torch of Learning Award has an illustrious history, raising awareness and important support for the Hebrew University Faculty of Law and the mission of its American Friends.
Hebrew University’s Faculty of Law is a dynamic institution where traditional legal
research is conducted along with trailblazing programs in international law, multidisciplinary studies and human rights research. HU law alumni include the majority of Israel’s former Supreme Court justices (many now faculty members), legislators, attorneys-general, social activists and heads of NGOs.
