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New Jersey Reference Room Dedicated in Honor of Clive S. Cummis of Sills Cummis & Gross P.C.

Rutgers School of Law–Newark has dedicated its library’s reference room for patrons researching New Jersey case law, statutes, codes, and other legal materials to Clive S. Cummis, a Newark native who spent his life giving back to that city. Cummis, who died in 2010, in 1971 founded a small firm of five attorneys known as Sills Beck Cummis Radin & Tischman. Today that law firm, Sills Cummis & Gross, is one of the largest in New Jersey.

Speakers at the March 23 dedication of the Clive S. Cummis New Jersey Reference Room were (l-r): Max Crane, Sills Cummis managing partner; Dean John J. Farmer, Jr.; Law Library Director Carol Roehrenbeck; Steven Gross, Sills Cummis chair; and Michael Tischman, senior counsel at Sills Cummis.

In awarding a $100,000 gift to the law school to honor Cummis, his firm recognized a kindred commitment to excellence and the community. Speaking at the dedication, John J. Farmer, Jr., Dean of Rutgers School of Law–Newark, stated: “We are deeply honored that the name of Clive Cummis, a man of remarkable legal talent and enormous generosity, is now associated with Rutgers School of Law–Newark. The Clive S. Cummis New Jersey Reference Room will be a reminder to future generations of his deep affection for and commitment to the City of Newark, the State of New Jersey, and the legal profession.”

Clive S. Cummis was widely known as an excellent lawyer, a Democratic fundraiser who advised nearly every recent presidential contender, a board member and trustee of numerous non-profit organizations, and a major philanthropist. In the 1990s his casino law experience led to his becoming vice chairman and board member of Park Place Entertainment, now known as Caesar’s. In 2003, he returned to Sills Cummis & Gross as chair emeritus.

Steven E. Gross, chair of the firm, stated: “Clive was driven to succeed and that drive created one of the most successful law firms in New Jersey. It is our hope that this room will serve as a tribute to his amazing spirit.” Max Crane, managing partner, stated: “Clive provided this firm with its core values, namely hard work, creativity, collaboration, client service, community commitment and leadership. The Clive S. Cummis New Jersey Reference Room will be a reminder of his commitment to New Jersey, Newark and the legal community for generations to come.”

Carol Roehrenbeck, Rutgers Law Library Director, added: “The New Jersey Reference Room, now the Clive S. Cummis New Jersey Reference Room, is a focal point for research activities in the library. Naming the room for Cummis is an excellent way to honor his commitment to hard work and to the community.”