Michael D. Abzug
In 1974, Bill Aronwald and I joined the Justice Department's Strike Force Against Organized Crime at the same time; he was head of the Southern District's Office and I was a newly minted prosecutor there, fresh out of law year, knowing nothing, and consequently subject to every influence, bad or good. Fortunately for me, Bill was a good influence at the start of my career and told me something that I never forgot: "you're a lawyer first." I always remembered those few words as I navigated almost a half century of litigation as a prosecutor, defense attorney and trial judge. I see that my friend and former colleague at the Strike Force, Jake Laufer, posted a similar words about Bill; typically shorter and more eloquent. Bill was also a good influence at start of my life, generally; he was so easy to deal with. There was no mystery about the man. He was straight-forward, laughed easily, a formidable prosecutor, and thoroughly decent. Apart from my parents and wife, he was simply one of the best influences I've had in my life. Michael D. Abzug
