Alexander Forger

Alexander Darrow Forger (February 19, 1923 – March 9, 2025) was an American lawyer from New York City.

Alexander Forger
Born	Alexander Darrow Forger (1923-02-19)February 19, 1923 New York City, U.S.
Died	March 9, 2025(2025-03-09) (aged 102) White Plains, New York, U.S.
Education	Princeton University (AB) Yale Law School (LLB)
Occupation	Lawyer
Political party	Democratic
Spouses	Nancy Brabant ​ ​ (m. 1946; died 1993)​ Fern Schair ​ ​ (m. 1995; died 2023)​

Life and career

After infantry service with the United States Army in the European theatre of World War II, he received degrees from Princeton University and Yale Law School, and, after graduating, he was hired by Milbank, Tweed, Hope & Webb.^[1] Becoming a partner at Milbank in 1958, he was a prominent trust and estate lawyer for several decades, notably representing Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Rachel Lambert Mellon, and he chaired the firm's executive committee from 1984 to 1992.^[2]

From 1980 to 1981, Forger was president of the New York State Bar Association as well as a member of the American Bar Association (ABA)'s House of Delegates. He was The Legal Aid Society's president from 1977 to 1979 and was chair of its board of directors from 1984 to 1993.^[1] From 1994 to 1997, he was president of the Legal Services Corporation. He was especially passionate about advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ community and individuals with HIV/AIDS, citing discrimination he witnessed against his gay son and by policymakers throughout his career.^[2] In 2011, the ABA established the Alexander D. Forger Awards, given annually to "celebrate lawyers and legal service providers who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to the advancement of the rule of law for individuals living with HIV and the provision of direct legal services to individuals affected by HIV".

Forger died at his residence in White Plains, New York, on March 9, 2025, at the age of 102.^[3]