Jeffrey L. Tanenbaum ’76

Jeffrey Tanenbaum.

Jeffrey L. Tanenbaum ’76, a retired partner in the New York City office of Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP, focused on bankruptcy and reorganization. He was named 2010 Dealmaker of the Year by The American Lawyer for his role as counsel to General Motors in the bankruptcy of auto parts manufacturer Delphi.

About this Interview

Interview Date(s)

May 4, 2011

Occasion

Recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award for Private Practice at the 49th Annual Dinner

Interviewed By

Marc Brown

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About Jeffrey L. Tanenbaum

Jeffrey Tanenbaum grew up in Queens with his parents and one brother. Though his parents completed high school, they did not attend college. He went to SUNY Binghamton and majored in math. Intrigued by the idea of law school and helping people, Tanenbaum gave up on a career in math and applied to UB Law. It was affordable, was considered an excellent law school and was located in New York State.

He joined the first class that met in John Lord O’Brian Hall on the North Campus. It was a beautiful new building. He soon found professors he could connect with in commercial transactions and bankruptcy. His mentors were Professors John Spanogle and Marjorie Girth. He credits them for helping him choose his career path.

The politics of the time—the Vietnam War winding down and President Richard Nixon in office—made it an exciting time to be in law school. The law students were “wonderful,” supported each other and worked together. He made a lot of friends. His fondest memory was the challenging work of the Buffalo Law Review. He taught research and writing. After law school, he clerked for Judge Mohl in the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, which helped him get a job at Weil Gotschal. He worked there for 32 years, retiring in 2010.

Among his many accomplishments, he worked on the General Motors reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. But success came at a cost, and Tanenbaum led an unbalanced family life. He has two children, and because he worked hard, he missed a lot.

However, he believes a Big Law career is worth it and he would do it again. He said that if you work hard, you will do well—even if there are detours and roadblocks along the way.

Tanenbaum taught a bankruptcy course as part of the law school’s New York City Program in Finance and Law. He considers himself an ambassador in New York City for UB School of Law and is happy to help and advise other alumni who want to work in New York. He also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council.

Explore the Class of 1976

  • Brent L. Wilson ’76
    4/4/26
    Brent L. Wilson ’76 is an Atlanta attorney who practices mostly labor and employment law litigation as a partner with Elarbee, Thompson, Sapp & Wilson, LLP. He is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council and a generous donor to the law school.
  • Carol M. Matorin '76
    4/6/26
    Carol M. Matorin ’76, an intellectual property lawyer, is senior vice president and general counsel for Marc Jacobs International in New York City. She also serves as a director of Cool Culture, which partners with over 90 cultural institutions to provide low-income children with free access and experiences that improve literacy and learning.
  • Hon. James H. Dillon ’76
    4/6/26
    Hon. James H. Dillon ’76 was a justice of the State Supreme Court in the 8th Judicial District of New York, elected to the Supreme Court bench in 2008. He previously served as a judge for Erie County Family Court after being elected to the seat in 1991 and re-elected in 2001.
  • Jeffrey L. Tanenbaum ’76
    4/4/26
    Jeffrey L. Tanenbaum ’76, a retired partner in the New York City office of Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP, focused on bankruptcy and reorganization. He was named 2010 Dealmaker of the Year by The American Lawyer for his role as counsel to General Motors in the bankruptcy of auto parts manufacturer Delphi.
  • Kenneth B. Forrest ’76 - Jaeckle Award 2010
    4/6/26
    Kenneth B. Forrest ’76 was recognized with the 33 Edwin F. Jaeckle Award, the highest honor UB School of Law and the Law Alumni Association can bestow. One of UB Law’s most accomplished alumni and past chair of the Dean’s Advisory Council, he has been an invaluable adviser to four deans.
  • Hon. Kevin M. Dillon ’76
    4/6/26
    Hon. Kevin M. Dillon ’76 was a justice of the Erie County Supreme Court in the 8 Judicial District of New York. He was elected to the position in 1997 and re-elected in 2010.
  • Margaret W. Wong ’76 - Jaeckle Award 2013
    4/4/26
    Margaret W. Wong ’76, a renowned immigration lawyer, was recognized with the 36 Jaeckle Award, the highest honor the University at Buffalo School of Law and the Law Alumni Association can bestow. An immigrant and law school scholarship recipient, she has generously endowed a scholarship program and a full professorship.

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