Recipient of the Ninth Annual Honorable John E. Sprizzo
Award
THE HONORABLE MARIO M. CUOMO ‘56,
‘75HON
Governor Mario M. Cuomo is of counsel to the Corporate and
Financial Services Department and Litigation Department of Willkie
Farr & Gallagher LLP in New York.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Cuomo was elected New York
State’s 52nd Governor in 1982 and won re-election in both 1986 and
1990, setting records for popularity in both contests. He was the
longest serving democratic governor in the modern history of New
York State and won the two largest electoral victories ever. In
twelve years at the helm of the nation’s most populous state,
Governor Cuomo steered the state through two recessions, balanced
12 consecutive budgets and created more than half a million
jobs.
He launched the largest economic development initiative in New
York history, spurring private sector growth through billions of
dollars of public investment in infrastructure enhancements and the
creation of an unparalleled network of high-tech research
facilities. During Governor Cuomo’s tenure, foreign investment in
New York almost doubled and thousands of new export opportunities
were created for New York firms.
He furthered the national debate on economic policy and trends
through the findings of the Cuomo Commission on Trade and
Competitiveness – The Cuomo Commission Report (1988) and America’s
Agenda: Rebuilding Economic Strength (1992). Governor Cuomo entered
private practice in 1958 with the firm Corner, Weisbrod, Froeb
& Charles.
He served thirteen years as an adjunct professor at St. John’s
University School of Law and clerked for New York State’s highest
court, the Court of Appeals, under Judge Adrian P. Burke. Governor
Cuomo when he was appointed by Governor Hugh Carey as New York’s
Secretary of State. In 1978, he was elected Lieutenant Governor, a
position he held until going on to win the governorship in
1982.
Governor Cuomo continues to pursue his wide-ranging interest in
public policy. He accepts a limited number of lecture engagements
each year, as well as some television and radio appearances and is
the author of numerous books.