The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University honored Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, with its 2024 Robert S. Tucker Prize for Prosecutorial Excellence at a ceremony attended by district attorneys, fellow prosecutors and other members of the legal community on Pace University’s New York City campus September 23, 2024. Brennan was honored for her outstanding contributions to the field of criminal prosecution and excellence in prosecutorial practice, highlighting her innovative leadership in establishing alternative programs for combating the growing drug epidemic throughout New York’s five boroughs.

Appointed in 1998 by the city's five elected District Attorneys, Brennan has been a trailblazer as the first female to serve in the role and is now New York City’s longest serving Special Narcotics Prosecutor.

Under her leadership, her staff of approximately 200 legal and support personnel in the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor have developed expertise to meet challenges posed by each new phase of the deadly opioid epidemic. She established the Heroin Interdiction Team, the Digital Forensic Services Unit, the Criminal and Investigative Analysts Unit, the Prescription Drug Investigation Unit, the Narcotics Gang Unit, the Money Laundering and Financial Investigation Unit, the Community Outreach Unit, the Discovery Compliance and Litigation Unit, the Post Judgment Litigation Unit, the Conviction Review Committee, and the Educational Outreach Committee.

Bridget’s work and the work of her Office is vital to our city, and we are all safer because of her leadership and commitment.

—Robert S. Tucker

During the presentation of the award, benefactor Robert S. Tucker, who was recently appointed FDNY Commissioner, expressed his gratitude and admiration for Brennan’s tireless work, noting how the opioid and narcotics crisis has grown in recent years following the COVID-19 pandemic. “Bridget’s work and the work of her Office is vital to our city, and we are all safer because of her leadership and commitment,” said Tucker.

In her role as Special Narcotics Prosecutor, Brennan investigates and prosecutes citywide, national, and international drug trafficking in partnership with city, state, and federal law enforcement. She blends tough and fair prosecutions with compassion and empathy. She has been a strong voice in calling attention to the rising rates of drug overdoses and has given needed recommendations for reducing these tragic deaths. In 2022, the most recent year for which data is available, more than 3,000 New York City residents died of overdoses – the highest number on record.

The Office of Special Narcotics Prosecutor strives to reduce demand for narcotics by raising public awareness and facilitating alternatives to incarceration and drug treatment, and is in regular communication with providers in the fields of education and drug treatment. It is committed to ensuring that the criminal justice system is fair for all.

By intercepting large amounts of lethal narcotics at the top of the supply chain, and investigating and prosecuting high-level traffickers, the office prevents countless overdoses and street-level arrests. Brennan has been a longtime advocate of alternatives to incarceration and has worked with District Attorney Offices of the five boroughs to promote treatment alternatives, Judicial Diversion, Prosecutor-Led Diversion Programs and Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) Court.

The Tucker Prize is yet one more accolade for Brennan, demonstrating her commitment to justice during her career of more than 40 years in public service. She has been recognized as Outstanding Prosecutor by the Criminal Justice Section of the New York State Bar Association, and for her leadership by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New York County Lawyers Association, and numerous community organizations, enforcement agencies, and substance use treatment providers. In 2017, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Police Defense Foundation.

“Bridget’s tenacity in pursuing public safety, along with a commitment to fairness in the criminal justice system, and her forward-thinking mindset for developing strategies that reduce incarceration, are an inspiration for our law students pursuing careers in public service,” said Haub Law Dean Horace E. Anderson Jr. “We are thrilled to honor her and shine a light on the impact she is making in our city.”

The Robert S. Tucker Prize for Prosecutorial Excellence is awarded annually to an individual or a group of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of criminal prosecution and who demonstrate excellence in prosecutorial practice. Honorees are selected each year by a jury comprised of former prosecutors and faculty members from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. The award ceremony brings together prosecutors from across the region and state, civic leaders, members of the judiciary, New York City government and the Haub Law community to recognize these distinguished individuals for their work. The prize is made possible by the generous support of Haub Law alumnus and Pace University Board of Trustees member Robert S. Tucker. Past Award Recipients include Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and the Office of the Bronx District Attorney, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, former New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood, and Richard A. Brown, the late Queens District Attorney.

View photos from the event

Shrey Jain

Class of 2025

Currently Studying: MBA in Business Analytics

Pronouns: He/Him

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Tell us about an extraordinary project you are presently working on for school or for fun.

I am on a mission to spread financial literacy. This summer, I dedicated my time to researching various macroeconomic and microeconomic data using one of Lubin's Bloomberg Terminals, sharing insights through regular posts. I plan to continue this work even after graduation. Overall, I would like to help others gain financial awareness. You can have a look at the article I worked on this summer (PDF).

Why did you choose your degree program?

I am pursuing an MBA in Business Analytics because of its broad applicability. To be an effective leader, one must have a bird's eye view of the entire organization. Business Analytics equips me with the skills to analyze data, identify trends, and make informed decisions. Additionally, it provides a macro perspective on overall business operations, enabling me to understand and navigate complex challenges.

Are you a part of any clubs? If so, which?

As a member of the Finance Club, I've had the privilege of exploring numerous opportunities that have enriched my understanding of the real financial world. One highlight was meeting Bill Ackman at an event, where I had the chance to ask him questions directly, gaining valuable insights from his experience.

What are your career goals?

My goal is to build a fintech startup and develop products for index option writing. Additionally, I plan to raise $100 million by 2030 and take the company public by 2034.

What do you do in your free time when you're not interning or taking classes?

In my free time, I read about unique business models and do research on microcap companies using the Bloomberg Terminal.

Surround yourself with quality people and build a strong network. A good network is not just for job or internship references, but for meaningful conversations, exchanging ideas, and sharing cultures. Building these relationships enriches your personal and professional life in ways that go beyond monetary gain.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students?

Surround yourself with quality people and build a strong network. A good network is not just for job or internship references, but for meaningful conversations, exchanging ideas, and sharing cultures. Building these relationships enriches your personal and professional life in ways that go beyond monetary gain. At the start, don't focus on earning money; instead, focus on investing in yourself and upskilling. In my life I have met quality people who have provided me with support, inspiration, and diverse perspectives that have shaped my journey.

Connect with Shrey:

• Connect with Shrey Jain on LinkedIn
• Follow Shrey Jain on Instagram
• Follow Shrey Jain on X

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The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University is proud to announce that the 2024 Ottinger Award for Faculty Achievement has been awarded to Professor Vanessa Merton posthumously. The Richard Ottinger Faculty Achievement Award is awarded annually by the Faculty Development Committee, in consultation with the Dean, in recognition of a full-time professor’s outstanding service to the law school, the legal profession, or both. The award generally is based on the faculty member’s outstanding service during the previous academic year.

Professor Katrina Fischer Kuh, chair of the Faculty Development Committee, remarked: “While dealing with grave illness, Professor Vanessa Merton dedicated significant time and energy, at a moment when both were precious to her, to the Pace Immigration Justice Clinic. From spearheading outreach efforts to help recruit highly qualified candidates to lead the Pace Immigration Justice Clinic, to contacting alumni and colleagues for their continued support of the Clinic, to working with family to help establish and fund the Vanessa Merton Immigration Justice Fellowship, Vanessa displayed outstanding service of the highest order, as she did throughout her career. This recognition in the form of the Ottinger Award for Faculty Achievement is a small way in which we can honor the time and energy that Professor Merton dedicated to the IJC over the last year, which will greatly benefit the Clinic, its clients, our school, and our students.”

The Ottinger Award for Faculty Achievement is named in honor of Richard L. Ottinger, who served in the United States House of Representatives for eight terms, from 1965 to 1971 and from 1975 to 1985. Ottinger was Dean of the Law School from 1994 to 1999 and is the founder of the Pace Energy Project, now known as the Pace Energy and Climate Center. Learn more about the Richard Ottinger Faculty Achievement Award and other faculty designations and awards.

Professor Vanessa Merton began her legal education career at New York University School of Law, and was a founding faculty member of CUNY Law School, and a Mellon and National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow. She joined Haub Law’s faculty in 1989 and served as Associate Dean for Clinical Education and Executive Director of John Jay Legal Services, while creating and teaching clinics in Access to Health Care and Prosecution of Domestic Violence, and innovative programs aimed at providing legal services to those in need. In 2005, Professor Merton founded the Pace Immigration Justice Clinic and served as its Executive Director until early 2024. In this role she was a steadfast advocate for her clients and a role model for Haub Law students — providing representation on applications for asylum or family-based status, in removal proceedings at state and federal detention facilities, and on petitions for crime victims and juvenile immigrants. She assisted travelers detained at airports under the 2017 Trump Executive Orders, spent spring breaks volunteering at immigrant detention centers on the southern border, and established a 200-student emergency operation to assist people affected by 9/11. She was also a passionate advocate for protecting the rights of all American voters. Professor Merton passed away on July 15, 2024, and is fondly remembered as a teacher and mentor to generations of Haub Law students, many of whom she inspired to pursue careers in immigration justice or as public interest lawyers.