Deceased April 6, 2012
View alumni profile (log-in required)
Read obituary
In Memory
Michael Madow died on April 6, 2012. The cause was cancer.
After Amherst, Michael was a Kellogg Fellow in Philosophy at Oxford, earned a master’s in political theory at Harvard University and a J.D. from the Columbia University School of Law. He was a law clerk to Judge Henry J. Friendly of the U.S. Court of Appeals and taught at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law.
In 1987, he accepted an appointment as professor of law at Brooklyn Law School, where he taught and wrote in the areas of first amendment, mass media law, criminal law and intellectual property. His article “Private Ownership of Public Image: Popular Culture and Publicity Rights,” published in the California Law Review, is considered the leading work on the right of publicity and has been widely cited by courts and commentators.
Michael was a beloved teacher and a mentor to a generation of law students. He was admired for his rigorous intelligence, engaging lectures and patient instructional manner. His written and conversational speech was clear, concise, persuasive and witty.
Behind the frame of any question, he would invariably find a better question. Hence, further discussion was joyfully elicited. Michael’s searching analysis of legal and social issues would often lead him and his students to a position of the greatest inclusiveness. He was a moral being, committed to social justice.
He was my best friend. We had a loving 45-year conversation in which my great pleasure was to listen.
Michael was unfailingly courageous in confronting the long ordeal of his illness. He is survived by a devoted family—wife Dr. Karen Brudney, son Benjamin and daughter Hannah—who provided critical care and support for him in his last years.
He will be much missed by all who knew him.
Craig McNeer ’72, F’71