Statement from ALEC CEO Lisa B. Nelson on the Passing of Victor Schwartz

Arlington, VA – ALEC CEO Lisa B. Nelson released the following statement on the passing of Victor Schwartz:

We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Victor Schwartz, a towering figure in legal scholarship and a beloved member of the ALEC family. Victor was not only a preeminent tort law scholar but also a mentor, friend, and vibrant presence whose legacy will endure across generations of legal thought and civil justice reform.

For years, Victor served as Chair of ALEC’s Civil Justice Task Force, a member of our Board of Scholars, and a guiding force behind nearly every major ALEC tort reform model. His unparalleled contributions to principled, pro-growth public policy earned him both the ALEC Private Sector Member of the Year Award and the Jeffersonian Award.

Victor’s legacy is as remarkable as his wit. A partner at Shook, Hardy & Bacon, he was a founding leader of the American Tort Reform Association, shaped legal education as a professor and dean at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where the Victor E. Schwartz Chair in Tort Law now honors his name. He also served on the Board of Visitors at his alma mater and the Board of the Searle Civil Justice Institute at George Mason University. Courts and scholars across the country cited his work, and his voice carried weight in Congress, in the classroom, and in the courtroom. Yet, Victor’s brilliance was matched by his humility and humor. After unraveling complex liability issues with ease, he would then leave a room in stitches with a spot-on Bill Clinton impression.

Victor mentored countless ALEC task force directors, offering wisdom, encouragement, and always a good laugh. Even after stepping back from his official roles, he remained a trusted advisor and cherished friend. He embodied the best of us: brilliant, generous, and unwavering in his commitment to limited government, personal responsibility, and equal justice under law.

On behalf of ALEC, we extend our deepest condolences to Victor’s family, friends, and colleagues and all who had the privilege of knowing him. We will forever miss his intellect, insight, and infectious joy.