Fairbank Lecture Series with Richard Davis

History alumni Richard Davis gives talk on his part in 1979 Iran Sanctions

February 10, 2023

Richard J. Davis was a partner at Weil Gotshal and Manges LLP from April 1, 1981 to December 31, 2011.  On leaving Weil he formed his own law firm.  Since doing so he has served as a mediator and arbitrator, counsel to various Boards, Trustee in Bankruptcy of a small hedge fund, Fletcher International Ltd., Examiner in the Caesars Entertainment Operating Company bankruptcy case, and as Special Counsel in a variety of circumstances.   He has previously served as an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Enforcement and Operations (1977–1981), and prior to that served as an Assistant Watergate Special Prosecutor and an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York. Among other activities while in private practice he has served as Chair of the Board of Citizens Union (2004–2008), Chair (1995-2010) and Chair Emeritus (2010-present) of the Board of the Randall’s Island Park Alliance, Chair of the Mayor’s Commission to Combat Police Corruption (1996–2002), a member of the Task Force on Police-Community Relations (1997–1998), an advisor to the Departments of Justice and Treasury on dealing with barricade/hostage and similar situations and has served on the Board of the New York City Legal Aid Society (2000-2010) and Chair of the Board (2010-2021).  Member of Goucher College Board of Trustee (2015-present).  He also is a member of the New York City Campaign Finance Board (2009 to date).  He also testified on behalf of President Clinton in the House Impeachment proceedings as an expert on prosecution. He graduated from the University of Rochester and the Columbia University School of Law.