Abrams, Robert

Robert Abrams (b.1938). An American attorney and politician who served as the Attorney General of New York from 1979 to 1993. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as Bronx Borough President from 1970 to 1978 and in the New York State Assembly from 1966 to 1969.

Abrams gained prominence as a reformer who successfully challenged powerful political machines and later transformed the role of state attorney general into a more activist position. He was the Democratic nominee for the United States Senate in 1992 and has a Luce Index™ score of 75.

Early Life and Education

Robert Abrams was born on July 4, 1938, in the Bronx, New York, into a Jewish family. He was raised in the Pelham Parkway area of the Bronx.

Abrams pursued higher education at Columbia College for his undergraduate studies before obtaining his law degree (J.D.) from the New York University School of Law. This educational foundation prepared him for his future career in law and politics, providing the knowledge and skills necessary for his subsequent public service roles.

Political Career

New York Attorney General

In 1978, Abrams was elected Attorney General of New York, a position he would hold from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 1993. He made history as the first person of Jewish faith to serve as New York’s Attorney General. During his tenure, he served under Governors Hugh Carey and Mario Cuomo.

As Attorney General, Abrams transformed what had historically been considered a “sleepy backwater post” into a powerful office focused on protecting citizens’ rights. He exercised leadership by organizing attorneys general throughout the nation to take collective action against the Reagan administration’s laissez-faire anti-regulatory policies. 

This coalition-building approach established a precedent for how state attorneys general could collectively challenge federal policies, a tactic that would later be employed against the Trump administration’s immigration policies and rollback of consumer and civil rights protections.

Senate Campaign

In 1992, Abrams secured the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate seat in New York13. While the search results don’t provide the outcome of this election, historical records show that he was ultimately unsuccessful in this bid, losing to Republican incumbent Al D’Amato.

Notable Cases and Achievements

Love Canal Case

One of Abrams’ most significant achievements as Attorney General was his handling of the infamous Love Canal case. This environmental disaster involved the shocking discovery that beneath a seemingly ordinary working-class community in upstate New York lay tons of toxic waste, which was causing chronic health problems for residents. Abrams took decisive action by filing a landmark lawsuit against Occidental Petroleum for its callous actions in the matter.

His work on this case had far-reaching implications, helping to pave the way for the passage of the federal Superfund Act, which established mechanisms for cleaning up toxic waste sites across the nation. The Love Canal case also represented an important victory for the emerging environmental justice movement, highlighting the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on disadvantaged communities456.

Tawana Brawley Case

Abrams also played a role in the controversial Tawana Brawley case, where an African American teenage girl alleged rape and brutality by a group of white men that included law enforcement officials. This highly publicized case became a flashpoint for racial tensions and debates about justice in New York during the late 1980s. While the search results don’t provide details about Abrams’ specific actions in this case, his involvement demonstrates his engagement with high-profile and sensitive matters during his tenure.

Consumer Protection and Civil Rights

Throughout his career as Attorney General, Abrams gained a reputation as a tireless advocate for justice and a skilled litigator. He was particularly active in the areas of consumer protection and civil rights, taking on powerful corporate interests to defend ordinary citizens. His memoir describes how he worked to ensure that “ordinary people battling unequal odds against corporate and other powerful forces can prevail when laws are enforced to protect their rights.”

Later Career

After leaving office as Attorney General in 1993, Abrams returned to private legal practice2. He continued to be actively involved in public affairs, serving as a professor of law at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law2. He was also appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve on the United States Holocaust Memorial Council2.

In March 2021, Abrams published his political memoir titled “The Luckiest Guy in the World: My Journey in Politics.” The book chronicles his life in public service, from his early grassroots campaigns against the Democratic Party machine to his transformative work as Attorney General. Through this memoir, Abrams shares behind-the-scenes interactions with important historical figures ranging from Golda Meir, George McGovern, and Mario Cuomo to Robert Moses, Cesar Chavez, and Shirley Chisholm.

Personal Life

Robert Abrams is married to Diane Schulder Abrams. They have two children together1. Beyond these basic details, the search results don’t provide extensive information about his personal life.

---

Robert Abrams stands as a significant figure in New York’s political history, having risen from an insurgent challenger to the Bronx Democratic machine to become one of the most influential attorneys general in the state’s history.

His legacy is defined by his transformation of the attorney general’s office into a powerful advocate for citizens’ rights, his pioneering environmental litigation, and his coalition-building approach to challenging federal policies.

Abrams’ career demonstrates how determined public servants can effect meaningful change by standing up to powerful interests and enforcing laws that protect ordinary citizens. His Luce Index™ score of 75 reflects his substantial impact on American law and politics.