Dear NYLMA Members and Friends,
As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Metropolitan New York Chapter of LMA, let us remember that the hard work and dedication of so many colleagues that came before us has sustained our organization and allowed it to be the vibrant community it is today.
One of the brightest lights in our community was Susan Benjamin, our very first Chapter President in 1992. With admiration, we honor Susan who bravely battled illness and, unfortunately, lost her fight in December 2011.
A dedicated wife and mother of three sons, Susan was active in the Stamford (CT) community through her efforts with the Jewish Federation of Stamford. She launched the Jewish Voice and served on the allocations committee of the Federation. She joined the late Dr. Ida Davidoff in the local women's liberation activity of Women's Place, and subsequently took her enthusiasm to the University of Connecticut Stamford Branch as director of the Bachelor of General Studies Program and registrar.
It was later in her career that she chose a new course, and where her path intersected with so many of us. She spent 16 years in the legal marketing world at Cummings and Lockwood in Stamford, and then at Shulte, Roth and Zabel in New York. She formed and served as the first president of the New York Chapter of what was then called NALFMA, the National Association of Law Firm Marketers of America. As most of us know, NALFMA eventually shed its name in favor of its current iteration: Legal Marketing Association.
This is what some NYLMA members had to say about Susan:
“I met Susan in 1992 when she started to gather a number of marketing people together under the acronym everyone would later agree sounded like a stifled sneeze: NALFMA, the National Association of Law Firm Marketers of America. The profession had started to gel thanks to the launch of the national organization, but it wasn't until Susan's tenacity came into play that we had a local chapter and a cadre of new friends that helped to form a valuable network. Susan served as a role model, a mentor, a colleague and a supporter for so many of us who were fortunate enough to know her. For many years, I was lucky enough to work in the same office building as Susan and our trips back and forth to LMA meetings and our shared lunches in each other's cafeterias, were some of my best memories from that time in my life. Though many who have worked with or knew Susan professionally have gone on to do other things with their lives, my hope is that the impact that Susan had on each of us, the lessons she may have taught us or that sparkle for life she may have shared, will continue to be passed on to others.” - Deborah Farone
“I first met Susan 8 years ago when I was about to join Latham. She was kind, gracious and offered me her words of wisdom on the position. I will always remember her generosity.” - Despina Kartson
“What a beautiful lady! Susan was incredibly poised and unfailingly elegant, well-spoken and kind. In short, she was the perfect role model and leader for us as we started out in relatively uncharted waters. All we really had as the Chapter took root was our resolve, sense of humor and most fortunately - one another - as a new profession was launched. Susan was, and always will be, the epitome of grace and style in leadership. Her legacy remains vibrant in the solid friendships that continue today. The Chapter was small, but Susan made it strong.” - Carolyn Sandano
“I first met Susan a bazillion years ago, before I got married (1986) when she was the marketing director at Cummings & Lockwood, which was the client of the PR firm I was working for (during the two worst years of my professional life). Susan was great and super smart, and by the time she said she wanted to leave C&L, I was at Skadden and Schulte was across the street. I suggested that she apply for a job there so we could have lunch together (they had no marketing director), and it just so happened they were thinking of hiring someone and they snapped her up. She was their first (and C&L's) and, as I found out during my year at AmLaw, they really respected her there.” - Sally Feldman
I thank these NYLMA members for their kind words, and invite others to share their memories of Susan. Twenty years later, we remain grateful to Susan for her efforts and her volunteerism. She started it all; let us continue her good work in her honor. As a Chapter, we will honor Susan in a special way as part of the 20th Anniversary celebration on February 28, 2012. Stay tuned for more details.
Jeff Scalzi
2012 NYLMA President