5/17/01

Northwestern University School of Law honored Robert A. Helman '56 and recognized the establishment of the Mayer, Brown, & Platt/Robert A. Helman Chair at a reception and dinner Thursday, May 17, in the Law School atrium.

A $2 million commitment to establish the chair has been made by Mayer, Brown & Platt partners to honor Helman, who served as chairman of the firm for 15 years. Dean David E. Van Zandt presented a plaque to Helman (middle) and Ty Fahner '71 (right), co-chairman of the firm, who led the fundraising effort.

"When Bob decided to step down as chairman, we wanted to honor him in a way that would not only be meaningful to us at the firm but also would honor and benefit the law school," said Fahner.

"The enthusiastic response to the firm's efforts attests to Bob's brilliant career," said David E. Van Zandt, dean of the Law School. "It also is a testament to the excellence of Northwestern professors who educate and inspire our students. Gifts such as this make it possible for us to continue to attract the finest faculty."

Helman received his BSL in 1954 and his LLB in 1956 from Northwestern. In 1966, he joined Mayer, Brown & Platt, where he focused on corporate issues including finance, securities, public utilities and banking. He was chairman of the firm's management committee from 1984 until his retirement from that position in 1998. Still a practicing partner, he is prominent in Chicago's legal and civic community, serving on corporate boards, governmental advisory committees, and on the boards of several cultural and charitable organizations.

"For all that Northwestern law and Mayer, Brown & Platt have done for me, I will always be grateful," said Helman. "I look forward to many more productive years of continuing to help the Law School, my clients and partners and the community at large."