Gary Ackerman – Partner

Gary Ackerman was born in Brooklyn, the son of Eva and Max Ackerman. He attended local public schools and Brooklyn Technical High School. He graduated from Queens College in 1965. After college, Ackerman became a New York City School teacher where he taught social studies, mathematics, and journalism to junior high school students in Queens. In 1979 he was elected to the New York State Senate where he represented the 12th Senate District.

Congressman Ackerman won a special election to Congress in 1983, where he represented the 5th and 7th district until his retirement in 2013. During his time in office, he was a Congressional Delegate to the United Nations. Ackerman was also a member of the Cuba Democracy Caucus. In 2006 Ackerman was elected as the Executive of the International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians (ICJP), a position that he currently holds.

“Congressman Gary Ackerman is a household name in the world of policy making and advocacy” said Gotham Founding Partner Brad Gerstman. “He brings to the table a wealth of knowledge in international and domestic affairs. It goes without saying, we are thrilled he has agreed to join our team.”

“Mr. Ackerman’s experience as a member of Congress and as a Congressional Delegate to the United Nations will bring a level of institutional knowledge to our team that few other firms can match” said Founding Partner David Schwartz. “I know that he will advocate for his clients with the same tenacity as he advocated for the residents of the 5th and 7th Congressional Districts for 20 years.”