Attorney Jonathan Schiller Becomes Chair of Columbia University’s Board of Trustees

Columbia University’s Board of Trustees announced that, following the succession plan announced last December, attorney Jonathan D. Schiller (CC’69, L’73) has become Chair of the Board, succeeding William V. Campbell (CC’62, MS’64), with whom he served as co-chair for the past six months. Schiller is a Managing Partner and co-founder of the law firm Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP, and one of the country’s most well-known and respected lawyers.

“As I said when the board selected Jonathan as our next chair late last year, Columbia is extremely fortunate to have a person of his talent and character to take on this leadership role,” said Campbell, who has served on the Board since 2003 and as its chair since 2005. “Lee Bollinger and the dedicated Trustees I’ve had the honor of serving with have brought Columbia to a place where it is excelling by every measure and again stands at the very top rank of great universities. Our Board and the University will benefit from Jonathan’s experience, judgment and deep devotion to Columbia in building on the extraordinary progress of recent years.”

A graduate of Columbia College and the Law School, Mr. Schiller was a member of Columbia’s 1968 Ivy League championship basketball team. Columbia College has recognized Mr. Schiller with its highest honors, the John Jay and the Alexander Hamilton awards. All three of his sons are Columbia graduates. In addition to being a University Trustee, Schiller has also been a member of the Columbia Law School Dean’s Council.

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Attorney Jonathan Schiller to Become Chair of Columbia University’s Board of Trustees, The Record
“Like so many of our loyal alumni, I know the significant role Columbia has played in my life,” said Schiller. “I know that in order to maintain Columbia’s impressive momentum, we cannot pause in our collective efforts to help this great University prepare for the future. I am looking forward to working with my fellow trustees, with Lee and his superb management team, with students, faculty and alumni in the same inclusive, affirmative spirit that Bill Campbell has brought to the Board and the Columbia community.”

Mr. Schiller, whose practice concentrates on complex litigation and international arbitration, has successfully tried cases before juries and judges in federal and state courts throughout the United States and before arbitral tribunals in Europe, Asia, and the U.S. He has been frequently honored for his professional service and success and is a Fellow of the American Bar Association.

“Jonathan Schiller is deeply dedicated to Columbia and brings both great personal insight about the institution and admired professional experience to this important new role,” said President Lee Bollinger. “As an engaged member of the trustees, and in recent months as the board's co-chair, he has become very familiar with the initiatives that are essential to Columbia’s future, both here in New York and around the globe, and we look forward to benefiting from his leadership in the years ahead. I know I speak for the entire university in thanking Bill Campbell, not only for his distinguished service on this Board over the past decade, but for the irrepressible spirit and enduring loyalty and friendship he has brought to the institution, and to me personally.”