In Memoriam<br/>

 

Ilene Barshay is a triple threat; Professor of Legal Process, proud member of the Touro Law Center class of 1987, community activist and generous Touro Law cheerleader and supporter. Ilene came to law school late in her career, and excelled at Touro while she was a student. When she returned as a member of our Legal Process faculty her hallmark became her dedication and concern for her students. She had exacting and rigorous standards – that’s not what set her apart, for most Touro Professors have rigorous standards when it comes to the pursuit of academic excellence. What distinguished Ilene as a member of our faculty was her unique relationship with her students. For them Ilene was a warm, welcome safe zone as a friend, mentor and teacher. We always say that Touro Law Center is like a family. Professor Ilene Barshay was our nurturer.

 

Of course she cared about the academics – but she also cared about the person – faculty colleagues, staff, and students alike. She was our liaison to the Theodore Roosevelt Chapter of the American Inns of Court and worked hard to ensure that our students succeeded in that organization. She took seriously her work as chair of Touro Law Center’s Jewish Programs Committee – bringing in distinguished speakers, but also making sure that students received an educational component from the program as well as some networking and fun. Time after time Ilene Barshay helped her students with their job search – encouraging law firm friends to “just take a look” and that has made such a critical difference in the lives of so many Touro Law Center graduates. 

 

Ilene and Stan Barshay, together with their family, created the Ilene H. Barshay Award for Excellence at Touro Law several years ago to commemorate her retirement from teaching. The Award recognizes a rising 2L student who has demonstrated both excellence in Legal Process and compelling circumstances outside of the classroom. The scholarship remains a fitting tribute to Professor Barshay.