Kelley Drye & Warren LLP is proud to acknowledge retired partner and longtime supporter of the firm, Frederic Rubinstein for his generous $1 million donation to Cornell Tech’s Public Interest Technology (PiTech) program. This philanthropic contribution will support critical research aimed at mitigating the risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI).

Fred, a distinguished Cornell alumnus and a leader in corporate law, has long been a key figure in the tech sector and a committed philanthropist, previously making a $1 million gift to Cornell Tech in 2018 to support social benefit in entrepreneurial programs. This new donation, which establishes the Frederic and Susan Rubinstein Impact Fellowship Fund, will help expand the PiTech Initiative’s Ph.D. Impact Fellowship Program in sustaining up to five additional fellowships per year, and the Frederic and Susan Rubinstein Innovation Fund to support projects and partnerships with significant long-term potential for serving public good. Fred’s enduring commitment to social impact and public service is also reflected in initiatives like the Rubinstein Post Graduate Fellowship, which empowers Cornell Law School graduates to pursue public interest careers by supporting roles at nonprofits or government agencies, reducing financial barriers for public interest lawyers.

“We are incredibly proud of Fred’s continued leadership and philanthropy,” said Dana Rosenfeld, Managing Partner at Kelley Drye. “His generosity will help drive the next wave of innovation at Cornell Tech.”

During his distinguished career at Kelley Drye, Fred played a pivotal role in venture capital transactions and in launching influential companies such as Compaq, Lotus Development, Electronic Arts, and Citrix. His work spanned structuring complex deals, fostering strategic partnerships, and navigating critical aspects of corporate growth, making him a trusted advisor to clients across a diverse array of industries.

About Cornell Tech: Cornell Tech is a graduate-level campus located on Roosevelt Island in New York City, focused on the intersection of technology, business, law, and public policy. It was founded with the goal of fostering groundbreaking research and innovation to solve the world’s most pressing problems. Cornell Tech combines a rigorous academic environment with hands-on learning, collaboration, and entrepreneurial initiatives. The PiTech Initiative is part of Cornell Tech’s broader mission to promote social responsibility within the tech sector, focusing on how technology can be used to address critical public needs while minimizing risks to society.

The PiTech Initiative, launched in 2021, is a pioneering program that integrates public interest engagement into tech education, preparing the next generation of tech leaders to prioritize social responsibility. Rubinstein’s support will help Cornell Tech continue to shape the future of AI and technology by fostering an environment where ethical concerns are central to development and implementation.

Click here to learn more about Cornell Tech and Fred’s support.

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Kelley Drye Celebrates Former Partner Frederic Rubinstein’s $1 Million Gift to Cornell Tech’s Public Interest Technology Program