Alumnus Made Successful Pivot from Law to Politics and Never Looked Back

Raised in a working-class neighborhood, Mr. Weinraub worked at the Fulton Fish Market during college. He attended St. John’s on a Local Union No. 3 IBEW Electricians’ Scholarship.  

He said the University exposed him to people and perspectives he had never encountered. “It opened my eyes,” he said. “I met kids from Long Island, from the suburbs. It broadened my world.”  

Mr. Weinraub earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and later his Juris Doctor from St. John’s School of Law. During his undergraduate years at St. John’s, Mr. Weinraub realized he wanted to go to law school, and the strong reputation of the School of Law appealed to him. He fondly remembers professors who challenged and inspired him. “Professor Irving Shapiro wrote a legal dictionary and told me I ought to consider law school. That changed everything.”  

Mr. Weinraub recalled that from a modest upbringing he leveraged hard work, his St. John’s education, and the University’s expansive alumni network to achieve success. “Teachers at St. John’s prepared you to do well in the world. I would not be nearly as well rounded without St. John’s.” 

After short stints at two law firms, Mr. Weinraub realized traditional practice was not his calling. “I went to law school to be happy, not miserable,” he joked. Returning to teach at St. John’s helped him reconnect with his purpose and led to opportunities in public service.  

Through contacts from the School of Law, he joined the 1986 reelection campaign of Governor Mario M. Cuomo ’53C, ’56L, ’75HON at the grassroots level. His enthusiasm was noticed, eventually earning him a series of promotions that saw him serve as the governor’s representative for Queens, NY, and later as Counsel to the Lieutenant Governor and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.  

He met Patricia Reilly '74C, '75G, a fellow St. John’s alumna, an adjunct instructor at St. John’s, and the Queens regional representative for the governor. “She was leaving to work at the Department of Motor Vehicles and offered me her job. She explained that I would have to do a lot of constituency work, as well as briefing the governor and other officials. In a sense, I would be the eyes and ears of the governor in Queens.” 

“Those were great years,” he said. “I learned what leadership and responsibility really meant.” He added, “I found my passion. I loved the combination of law and politics.” 

Working for the late governor, also a St. John’s alumnus, made Mr. Weinraub feel part of “a great tradition.” He credits the University for instilling in him discipline, compassion, and readiness for opportunity.  

“You have to keep your eyes, ears, and heart open to new things,” he said. “That’s what St. John’s taught me.” 

Today, as Cofounder and Managing Partner of Brown & Weinraub, New York State’s top-ranked lobbying firm, Mr. Weinraub measures success not only by its 300 clients, but by the trust it inspires.  

He remains actively involved in community causes in Albany, NY, and Brooklyn, supporting scholarship and small-business initiatives. He also gives back to the St. John’s community through his continued enthusiastic participation with the Alumni Insider’s View…New York State Capital program, and recently set up an endowed fund to support it. 

“At St. John’s, you learn good judgment, integrity, and the importance of earning trust,” he said. “That’s what I try to give back.”