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Judge <a href="/people/stephen-m-orlofsky/" id="19373">Stephen M. Orlofsky</a>, partner at Blank Rome, chair of the Princeton office, and co-chair of the firm’s <a href="https://www.blankrome.com/services-and-industries/litigation/appellate-litigation">Appellate Litigation</a> practice, is featured in a recent Rutgers-Camden News article celebrating his enduring support for Rutgers Law School, his alma mater, by creating the Stephen M. Orlofsky Endowed Appellate Advocacy Fund. Through the Stephen M. Orlofsky Endowed Appellate Advocacy Fund, Judge Orlofsky is expanding opportunities for students pursuing appellate advocacy and reinforcing the school’s commitment to world-class legal education. This visionary gift exemplifies Judge Orlofsky’s enduring commitment to excellence, mentorship, and justice—principles that have already left a lasting mark on the legal community and continue to inspire and elevate the profession today.

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The full article, written by Eileen Reinhard, appears below as published by&nbsp;Rutgers-Camden News.

Read additional coverage published in Law360 Pulse <a href="/news-and-events/retired-nj-judge-backs-appellate-advocacy-fund-at-rutgers/" id="19467">here</a> and the New Jersey Law Journal <a href="/news-and-events/ex-judge-saw-underserved-practice-and-did-something-about-it/" id="19466">here</a>.

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South Bronx native, die-hard Yankees fan, Vietnam vet, distinguished law firm partner, twelve-year federal judge, and honors graduate of the Rutgers Law School in Camden Class of 1974 Stephen Orlofsky has led a life filled with purpose and joy. Now, through a generous gift, he is supporting Rutgers Law in continuing to provide world-class and leading-edge legal education.

By establishing the Stephen M. Orlofsky Endowed Appellate Advocacy Fund, Orlofsky said he is honoring the vital work of the appellate courts by supplying law students with specialized training. Unlike trial litigation, where the emphasis is on the presentation of facts, it is in the appellate courts that an attorney must stress the application of law to facts. According to Orlofsky, the ability to present thoroughly researched legal arguments in a logical manner becomes more critical during an appeal.

“You could say that in the appellate courts, this is where the law is made and where the Constitution is defended,” Orlofsky said. “It is up to appellate advocates to help them get it right.”

Orlofsky speaks with authority, having established principles of law that were important to the parties involved and the public. He explained that this is why his gift is targeted at training upcoming lawyers in appellate advocacy.

“This work is so important, especially today,” Orlofsky emphasized. “I believe I am making an important gift at an important time.”

This is not the first critical time in history that Orlofsky has felt called to protect the United States. Following his graduation from City College of New York, Orlofsky joined the United States Army for a four-year tour of duty and served in Vietnam. Orlofsky entered Rutgers Law School in Camden after his honorable discharge from the Army.

“I wanted to be involved in the legal profession,” Orlofsky said. He believes a rereading of the Federalist Papers inspired this career choice. The Federalist Papers were essays written by three founding fathers and published in various New York newspapers from 1787 to 1788 to convince New Yorkers to ratify the new Constitution.

Not only did Orlofsky become involved in the legal profession, but he excelled, receiving many awards that reflect his dedication. Among his accolades, Orlofsky has been named a “Super Lawyer” every year since 2005, received a lifetime achievement award and a trailblazer award from&nbsp;New Jersey Law Journal, and was lauded with the Judge Learned Hand Award from American Jewish Committee, which Orlofsky dedicated to family members, including his grandfather, and other Jews from the small Polish town of Sokolov, whom the Nazis killed.

In 1980, Orlofsky joined the law firm of Blank Rome LLP and has remained there other than when serving as a federal judge. Blank Rome’s Chair and Managing Partner, Grant S. Palmer said,&nbsp;“Steve Orlofsky is a special person who has left an indelible mark on our law firm and everything he has touched during his distinguished career. His commitment to serving and supporting our clients, colleagues, and communities with unparalleled excellence is truly inspiring. The establishment of the Stephen M. Orlofsky Endowed Appellate Advocacy Fund is a testament to Steve’s passion for the profession and desire to inspire and empower the next generation of lawyers.”

And Orlofsky is also justifiably proud of his Army citations, which include induction into the Artillery Officer Candidate School (OCS) Hall of Fame and the Army OCS Hall of Fame.

Yet another citation hangs on his office wall, which Orlofsky claims is his most inspiring. He said that when he has a bad day, he reads the posthumous citation for the Medal of Honor that was awarded to his dear friend Harold “Pinky” Dunham, who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1967.

“Pinky inspires me to keep going,” Orlofsky said. “He died when he was 25 and never had a chance to live out his life—to have a family, or a career. I try to honor him by living a life of service.”

Orlofsky has also endured the death of his beloved wife in 2022. He met Charlotte Gaal while they were in law school. They married shortly after graduation and had three children: Deborah, David, and Alexander. “Charlotte and I did not have the time or money for a honeymoon, but we did have time for a marriage that lasted 46 years,” he said.

Orlofsky established the Charlotte K. Gaal Endowed Memorial Scholarship to honor her memory, which provides financial assistance to women enrolled at Rutgers Law in Camden.

“Judge Orlofsky’s career—marked by distinguished military service, judicial leadership, and tireless advocacy for justice—serves as an inspiration to all of us,” said Rutgers Law School Dean Johanna Bond.

“His generous gift will ensure that Rutgers Law students receive the legal education and training they need to become thoughtful, ethical, and effective advocates. Just as Judge Orlofsky has defended the rule of law throughout his life, so too will future graduates continue his legacy of public service, excellence in advocacy, and staunch protection of the Constitution.”

Firmly at the top of a remarkable and storied career, which has taken him from the South Bronx to an appointment as a federal judge and beyond, Orlofsky lives with a passion for the work he does, the people he helps, and now the students who will benefit from his appellate advocacy fund.

In one extraordinary moment among many, Orlofsky traveled to Iraq in 2003 with two other federal judges.

They were on a mission to help Iraqis who had supported the United States during the Second Gulf War relocate to the United States with their families.

“This is an example of making a difference,” Orlofsky said. “But isn’t that what we are all meant to do?”

To view the article, please click&nbsp;<a href="https://camden.rutgers.edu/news/major-donation-ensures-rutgers-law-school-stays-leading-edge-and-relevant">here</a>.&nbsp;

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