Lorraine Gerson (left)
She always dresses to the nines, is as passionate about the law as ever and can now count Barack Obama among her admirers.
As she celebrated her 80th birthday today in Newark, Lorraine Gerson accepted kudos from prosecutors, defense attorneys and federal judges from throughout the U.S. District of New Jersey.
The nation's oldest federal prosecutor also got a letter from Justice Department officials in Washington -- and from the Oval Office.
"Congratulations...on your first 80 years," President Obama wrote.
Known as "The Madame," Gerson "is the most cosmopolitan prosecutor you'll find," one colleague said, citing the Manhattan resident's fine taste in fashion, her sharp wit and her grace.
An only child of the Great Depression, Gerson grew up in Harlem and, later, the Bronx. She eventually got a college degree, working a night job at Bloomingdale's.
After moving to New Jersey and raising three children, Gerson enrolled at Seton Hall Law School -- former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie's alma mater -- and went to work for the state. Thirty years ago she became a federal prosecutor, winning countless financial and fraud cases since then.
In case the president is interested, Gerson has told her colleagues she's in no rush to retire.
Comments
Kudos to Ms. Gerson----& thanks for providing our young girls with a much needed role model !
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