Steven G. Gey

GEY, Steven G. a nationally recognized scholar of constitutional law and longtime champion of civil liberties, died on June 9, 2011 at his home in Tallahassee after a nearly five-year struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease. He was 55. Professor Gey received his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in 1978 from Eckerd College where he majored in philosophy. He received his law degree with honors in 1982 from Columbia Law School, where he was articles editor of the law review. Gey practiced with the law firm of Paul, Weiss and was a key participant in the historic Sullivan v. Wainwright death row appeal. The NYC Bar Association named him recipient of the Thurgood Marshall award in recognition of his pro bono representation of death row inmates. Gey strenuously defended the freedom of expression of clients all along the political spectrum and frequently served as pro bono publico counsel in cases involving political and civil rights, often with the ACLU and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the latter for several years. The National Center for Science Education awarded Professor Gey the Friends of Darwin Award in recognition of his work to protect against the encroachment of religion into the classroom. During the contested 2000 Presidential election, he served as a consultant to ABC News and appeared regularly as a constitutional law expert on the Nightly News with Peter Jennings. At his death, Gey was the David & Deborah Fonvielle and Donald & Janet Hinkle Professor of Law at the Florida State University College of Law, where he joined the FSU faculty in 1985. Gey is survived by his wife of 29 years, Irene Trakas; his father and a sister. A memorial fund has been established in his name. Contributions can be made to the FSU College of Law - Gey Endowment for Civil Liberties.