Baruch College Date of Graduation: 1956 Major: Accounting

Robert N. Cooperman was born in 1935 and is currently a Senior Partner of CLM. His practice involves transactional work; general business and estate counseling; employment and labor relations; and special emphasis on negotiation and tax considerations. Over the years he has had extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, financing, real estate, labor law, estate planning, and litigation. He has a diverse clientele encompassing start-up and established businesses.

Cooperman graduated Baruch College with a degree in Accounting in 1956. While attending Baruch, he was a part of Sigma Alpha Delta Honor Society, which he referred to as “a group of nice people who were strict on grades”. In addition to Sigma, Cooperman was the Treasurer of Student Council and worked a variety of jobs after school, some of which included administrative, clerical, and accounting positions. After graduating, he decided to further his education by attending Columbia University.

In 1959, Cooperman graduated from Columbia School of Law and was drafted into the military. He was twenty-three years old and married at the time he went to serve. Cooperman received basic Air Force training and was in active duty for about six months. After that, he was still required to stay in the reserve for six years proceeding, in which he was held in training.

After leaving the military, he worked for CPA lawyer Philip Brent for six months with the intention of becoming a CPA. Unfortunately, he was only able to complete two out of the four parts of the CPA requirements, because he lacked prior experience, so he received his L.L.M. in taxation. Throughout Cooperman’s life he has formed five law firms, with his current firm being Cooperman Lester Miller.

Setting all academics achievements aside, Cooperman still finds time to enjoy life. Some of his hobbies that he mentioned included biking, swimming, traveling and being a member of the local synagogue. In regards to his many years of experience, Cooperman has left us some pieces of advice:

“Choose something you genuinely enjoy doing, most of your waking hours will be devoted towards these activities so it will be a more enjoyable life.”

“Money should not be the driving force, but rather, the nature of what you are doing.”

“It is much better to go to work looking forward to it rather than dreading it.”