FERN SCHAIR

SCHAIR--Fern, died on January 26, 2023 at the age of 80 at her residence of ovarian cancer. She is survived by her husband of 28 years, Alex Forger. She was born in the Bronx, NY, a daughter of Emily and Leon Goldstein. Fern attended Cornell University, and graduated from St. John's University Law School in 1965. For over 50 years, she was a committed activist around the access to justice for those who could not afford counsel or who experienced other barriers. Beginning her career as a legal aid lawyer, she eventually became the Chair of Legal Services NYC. As the Executive Director and Chair of the Board of the Fund for Modern Courts, she sought to simplify the court structure as well as improve its administration, to enable easier access. From 1982 to 1997, she was the first woman to be the Executive Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer of the New York City Bar Association, and in 1997, she was honored with their Medal of Achievement, the first woman so honored, for "exceptional contributions to the honor and standing of the bar in this community." In 1997, she also co-founded the Children's Law Center to advocate for children in need of assistance stemming from family matters, domestic violence, custody and support. She was also a longtime advocate for best practices in language access in the state courts, including serving as former Co- Chair of the Advisory Committee on Court Interpreters. As a Chairperson of the Feerick Center Advisory Board at Fordham University Law School since its inception, from which she recently retired, she continued advocacy in seeking justice, engaging in legislative advocacy, and in facilitating access to the judicial system. She also developed volunteer programs for senior lawyers, the Attorney Emeritus program, and developed ways for non- lawyers to help those who needed it to navigate the complexities of our legal system. In addition to her husband Alex, Fern is survived by her son, Adam Schair (Julie), daughter Alison Trigona, grandchildren, Samuel and Abby Schair and Emma Trigona, her brother, Dr. Bernard Goldstein (Russellyn), her sister Joan Parker (Alan), and stepchildren James Forger (Deborah), Sally Bergquist, Martha Fishbein (Jeffrey), and John Forger, as well as seven step-grand-children and six step-great-grandchildren. A private funeral was held in Westchester County. Those wishing to make contributions in Fern's memory are encouraged to do so, to the Feerick Center for Social Justice at Fordham University Law School, or Legal Services NYC.