Alumni in the News

February 2005

Chicago's Mr. Insider Made Sure 'Baby' Happened
Chicago Tribune, 2/27/05

When Tom Rosenberg '72 returns to Chicago, as he frequently does, he drives past theater marquees touting his latest offering to the world—currently "Million Dollar Baby," the movie that will have this no-nonsense, camera-averse producer walking the red carpet at Sunday's Academy Awards.

But he can view other products of his labors as well, massive projects made of steel and glass rather than celluloid and light. For years Rosenberg was one of Chicago's most active—and politically connected—real estate developers, erecting 54 buildings in and out of state in addition to overseeing the city's largest-ever school construction program.

He represented West Side residents, as well as the city, in their negotiations with the Bulls and Blackhawks before the construction of the United Center. He also advised and raised sizable funds for Chicago mayors dating from Jane Byrne to Richard M. Daley.

His reputation for delivering the goods led 1984 Democratic presidential nominee Walter Mondale to ask Rosenberg to oversee much of his Midwestern campaign as well as to fly a private jet to San Francisco to pick up Geraldine Ferraro before her unveiling in Minnesota as Mondale's running mate.

In his more recent life, Rosenberg has produced such movies as "The Commitments," "Runaway Bride," "The Human Stain," "Underworld" and now "Million Dollar Baby," which received seven Academy Award nominations and has emerged as the co-favorite to take home the best picture Oscar. ...

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For Lawyer's Lawyer, Loss Is Just the Beginning
The New York Times, 2/18/05

Michael Tigar '66, a master of courtroom argument, says he resolved long ago that the trial of Lynne F. Stewart, in which he was her chief defense counsel, would be his last. He reaffirmed this decision with satisfaction, and some relief, in the Manhattan courtroom on Jan. 18, the day he turned 64.

Three weeks later the jurors came back with one of the most adverse verdicts Mr. Tigar has ever faced in a high-profile case. On Feb. 10 they convicted Ms. Stewart, a defense lawyer, and two co-defendants of all charges of aiding terrorism. They were found guilty of smuggling messages from an imprisoned terrorist client of Ms. Stewart's, Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman, to his militant Islamic followers in Egypt.

In a four-decade career, Mr. Tigar has been the successful champion of diverse clients. ... He got a life sentence instead of the death penalty for Terry Nichols, the accomplice in the Oklahoma City bombing. He received a lifetime achievement award in 1999 from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. ...

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Donoghue Named Freddie Mac General Counsel
PR Newswire, 2/7/05

MCLEAN, Va.—Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) has named Joan E. Donoghue '81 senior vice president and general counsel, reporting to Chairman and CEO Richard F. Syron.

"Joan has been a tremendous asset to Freddie Mac during a period of extraordinary change. Her integrity, leadership, and legal skills will continue to serve this company well as we continue to fulfill our mission of helping more families become homeowners," Syron said.

Donoghue had previously served as senior vice president and principal deputy general counsel since April 2004. Donoghue joined Freddie Mac in 2001 as associate general counsel and later served as vice president and acting general counsel.

Prior to joining Freddie Mac, Donoghue held positions of increasing importance with the U.S. Department of State including deputy legal adviser. She also served as deputy general counsel at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. She also served as visiting professor at Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California at Berkeley, where she was a Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellow. She began her legal career as an associate attorney with Covington & Burling. ...

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