John D. Feerick was a drafter of the 25th amendment to the United States Constitution that celebrates its 50th anniversary of ratification this year. Dean Feerick authored a Pulitzer Prize nominated book about presidential succession and is recognized as the preeminent scholar on the 25th Amendment.

After graduating from Fordham College in 1958, he earned his law degree at Fordham University School of Law. Dean Feerick began his career at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in 1961 where he worked as a labor and employment attorney. He became a partner in 1968 and established himself as a leader in the field of labor law. In 1982, he became Dean of Fordham Law, a position he held for 20 years.

He formed the school’s ethics and dispute resolution curriculum and public service and clinical programs, and established multiple centers and institutes including the Feerick Center for Social Justice at Fordham. This summer, the American Bar Association awarded him the ABA Medal, its highest award “in recognition of his distinguished career as a labor lawyer, legal educator and public servant, his unimpeachable integrity and brilliance [that has] made him a giant in the legal community and an invaluable aide to our government and our democracy.”