Matthew J. Jasen, 1915-2006: in this issue.

• Author: Bonventre, Vincent Martin
• Position: New York Court of Appeals judge - Testimonial

He was a great man. Yes, he was a great judge who made great contributions to the law. There are literally hundreds upon hundreds of opinions, and thousands upon thousands of votes in cases in which he participated in the course of 18 years on the New York Court of Appeals that attest to his legal acumen, his judicial independence and integrity, and his exquisite judgment. But all of that, and so much more, reflected a larger, more essential, entirely unavoidable truth recognized by all who knew him well: Judge Matthew J. Jasen was a great man.

There was no one stronger, no one more courageous, no one wiser, no one a better example, no one a better teacher and mentor, no one more compassionate, no one more caring and concerned and empathetic and nurturing. This is not the sentimental, inflated praise of one who as a young lawyer had the honor of serving as Judge Jasen's law clerk for his final two and a half years at the Court of Appeals. This is the universal assessment of those who knew him best, closest, personally: professional colleagues, friends, family, and yes, his extended family--his law clerks.

Those of us who worked with him day and night, from early morning till late night (and often till early morning again), who observed him professionally and personally, who spoke and discussed and argued and disagreed and (ultimately, usually) agreed with him, who looked to him for guidance and assistance and support, who were full of pride to work for a man who was uncompromisingly, indefatigably, ruggedly honest and gutsy and independent--we knew him more as the head of a family than as a boss. We knew him as the man who sat with us every day, taking time from the court's business to ask about our lives, our families, our health, our aspirations. Inquiring, empathizing, supporting, counseling, mentoring, joking, encouraging, and yes, reminiscing, sharing, even revealing in his own deeply private way. But always, it was primarily about us, for us--his charges, his family, as much as his legal assistants. There were, of course, discussions about the individual cases and about the law generally during those daily chats. But even those were ultimately lessons for us about life and career, character and principle.

We admired him--well-nigh revered him. We aspired to be like him--and still do. We will always be inspired and strengthened by the courage and conviction we witnessed. And by his humility about it all. We spoke and speak--about it...