Marc A. Alpert ’86

Marc Alpert appreciates the legal education he received from UB law school, and he pays it forward by helping UB Law graduates find jobs with top law firms in New York City.

Raised in a close Jewish family in a working-class, diverse Brooklyn neighborhood, Alpert’s early exposure to the values of his hard-working father, stepfather and grandfather instilled in him a strong work ethic and ambition. He started working at age 13, juggling jobs throughout high school, college and during law school breaks. He graduated early and began college at UB before eventually transferring to Hofstra, where he also had a positive experience. Alpert decided to attend law school because he loved social studies, debate and history, and his grandfather encouraged him to do something practical. 

He decided to attend UB law school due to its reputation and affordability. Dr. Maureen Murphy, a mentor, convinced him that the school’s value depended on the effort he was willing to make. To pay his expenses, Alpert worked as the director of a residence hall. Despite having to deal with cockroaches, cold weather and culture change, he enjoyed law school and has nothing but praise for the world-class quality of the law professors at UB.

After law school, Alpert built an impressive 30-year career in private practice at Chadbourne & Parke, specializing in public company work. The three pillars of his practice were M&A, capital markets and corporate governance/SEC advice. A stint in their Hong Kong office had a tremendous positive impact on his career and personal growth, he said.

Ultimately, Alpert seized an unexpected opportunity at Loews Corp. He was attracted by the prospect of working for the Tisch family and experiencing a diverse range of industries in a holding company. Alpert now enjoys a more balanced workload and contributes to strategic decisions in the company.

He attributes much of his success to hard work, common sense and an unwavering dedication to his craft—plus the support of his wife, who was a key asset in business development.  

He has mentored numerous aspiring UB lawyers and facilitated their transition from law school to careers in private practice, particularly Big Law, in New York City. Leveraging his extensive network from both his time as general counsel at Lowes and his years at Chadbourne & Parke, Alpert helps students refine their resumes and interview skills. He underscores the importance of grades as a steppingstone to entering the competitive world of Big Law, while encouraging those who succeed to pay it forward by mentoring future students.