Honoring the Legacy of Daniel Anderl Through Lawyers Who Will Strengthen Privacy and Cybersecurity Laws
Anderl was killed in 2020 in an attack targeting his mother, U.S. District Court of New Jersey Judge Esther Salas
New York Law School (NYLS) is honored to announce its selection as the newest law school to receive a $100,000 gift from The Daniel Anderl Judicial Protection Project, to establish an endowed scholarship in the name of Daniel Anderl.
The Daniel Anderl Judicial Protection Project was created following the tragic death of 20-year-old Daniel Anderl in July 2020. Daniel was the only child of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas and attorney Mark Anderl. A promising young man and aspiring lawyer, Daniel was senselessly killed in an attack motivated by Judge Salas’ position on the bench. Since that moment, Judge Salas has channeled her grief into advocacy, championing stronger judicial security measures in New Jersey and around the country. Alongside her efforts, a group of lawyers launched the Daniel Anderl Judicial Protection Project to carry forward Daniel’s legacy of compassion, service, and belief in the positive impact of the law.
“New York Law School is honored to join the family of institutions selected to carry Daniel Anderl’s legacy forward,” said Anthony W. Crowell, Dean and President of New York Law School. “This scholarship is not only a powerful tribute to a remarkable young man but also a call to action. One of the most important parts of NYLS’s 134-year legacy is the extraordinary number of graduates who have served on the bench or within the judiciary as clerks and attorneys. They are central to a well-functioning democracy, predicated on the rule of law. To uphold our democratic system, judges must remain free from fear or intimidation and now is a pivotal time to do more to protect those who work in the judiciary. We are deeply grateful to the Daniel Anderl Judicial Protection Project for its courage, vision, and commitment to ensuring the safety and integrity of our judicial system—and to supporting students who are committed to making a difference.”
Kevin O’Toole, the chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, is the President of the Project’s board. In a statement, he emphasized the importance of these scholarships to their advocacy efforts.
“We established this organization to advocate for judicial privacy and security. Advocacy takes many forms,” said the former New Jersey senator. “As we advocate right now for stronger privacy legislation, we also, through our scholarships, seek to build our next generation of advocates. Our scholarships help support students who are pursuing careers that will make a difference and who will help to ensure that judges and their families remain safe.”
The scholarship will support NYLS students who exemplify a commitment to public service and justice, with a preference for students pursuing careers in privacy and cybersecurity law.
Rahul Agarwal, the Treasurer of the organization, said that New York Law School was the first school outside of New Jersey to receive scholarship funds. “We have been fortunate to fund scholarships at institutions across New Jersey and are excited to carry on Danny’s memory by establishing the first Daniel Anderl Scholarship at a New York institution. We know that NYLS, under Dean Crowell’s leadership, will find worthy students to carry on Danny’s legacy. The Daniel Anderl Scholarship Program aligns with NYLS’s values including advancing justice, commitment to integrity, and upholding the rule of law. As threats to personal privacy, digital infrastructure, and public safety continue to grow, educating future lawyers in these areas is more vital than ever. Through this scholarship, NYLS students will be inspired not only by Daniel’s dream of becoming a lawyer but also by the example set by Judge Salas and Mr. Anderl, who have transformed personal tragedy into a national movement for justice and protection.