Neal Sher
Encyclopedia
Neal M. Sher is an American
lawyer who is the former head of the Office of Special Investigations and former executive director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee
(AIPAC). Since 2002, he has been a solo practitioner in New York City
.
Sher graduated Cornell University
in 1968 and New York University Law School in 1972. He clerked for Judge Barrington D. Parker
for two years, and then worked in a Washington, DC law firm from 1974 to 1979, before joining the United States Department of Justice
.
From 1983 to 1994, Sher headed the Office of Special Investigations (OSI), the Justice Department’s Nazi prosecution unit, where he oversaw the denaturalization and deportation of dozens of onetime Nazi war criminals. His investigation of the Nazi past of Kurt Waldheim
led to Waldheim’s placement on the watch list of persons ineligible to enter the United States. In 1989, Sher received the Raoul Wallenberg Award for his work.
Sher was the executive director of AIPAC from 1994 to 1996. As director, Sher led AIPAC's support of the Oslo Accords
, sparring with rival lobbyists Zionist Organization of America
over the issue. Sher apparently clashed with the board of directors, however, and resigned shortly after Benjamin Netanyahu
's surprise victory in the 1996 Israel prime ministerial election
to return to work on Holocaust-related issues.
In the documentary "I have Never Forgotten You" about famed Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal
, Sher is shown criticizing Wiesenthal with his statement, "There were and still remain today alive, many people who personally suffered at the hands of Joseph Mengele and to hold out hope to them, and these people held out hope, that their tormenter, their torturer, this mass murderer would be brought to justice, when the information was not accurate, I think is cruel."
From 1997 to 2000, Sher was a special adviser to Canada
's war crime
s prosecution unit.
In 1998, Sher became chief of staff for the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims
. Sher resigned in June 2002 after a Baltimore Sun investigation disclosed that Sher had received over $5000 for some first-class air travel to Europe, and he disclosed to the commission that he had received "unauthorized reimbursements." According to the chair, former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger
, Sher made "immediate and full restitution" after self-disclosing the violation.
In 2003, Sher consented to disbarment from the District of Columbia. Sher said he agreed to disbarment because he could not afford to litigate the matter, and remains a member of the New York bar;, despite a provision of New York law, 22 NYCRR 603.3, which requires "reciprocal" disbarment for any attorney disbarred in another jurisdiction. The agreement means that there is no public record of the bar's investigation.
Sher was most recently in the news for his representation of his friend Morris Talansky, who is a witness in the investigation of Israel
i Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer who is the former head of the Office of Special Investigations and former executive director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee
American Israel Public Affairs Committee
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is a lobbying group that advocates pro-Israel policies to the Congress and Executive Branch of the United States...
(AIPAC). Since 2002, he has been a solo practitioner in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Sher graduated Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
in 1968 and New York University Law School in 1972. He clerked for Judge Barrington D. Parker
Barrington D. Parker
Barrington Daniels Parker, Sr. was a United States federal judge in the District of Columbia.Parker was born in Rosslyn, Virginia; his father was dean of the now-closed Terrell Law School in Washington, D.C. He attended Dunbar High School in Washington, and graduated from Lincoln University in...
for two years, and then worked in a Washington, DC law firm from 1974 to 1979, before joining the United States Department of Justice
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
.
From 1983 to 1994, Sher headed the Office of Special Investigations (OSI), the Justice Department’s Nazi prosecution unit, where he oversaw the denaturalization and deportation of dozens of onetime Nazi war criminals. His investigation of the Nazi past of Kurt Waldheim
Kurt Waldheim
Kurt Josef Waldheim was an Austrian diplomat and politician. Waldheim was the fourth Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1972 to 1981, and the ninth President of Austria, from 1986 to 1992...
led to Waldheim’s placement on the watch list of persons ineligible to enter the United States. In 1989, Sher received the Raoul Wallenberg Award for his work.
Sher was the executive director of AIPAC from 1994 to 1996. As director, Sher led AIPAC's support of the Oslo Accords
Oslo Accords
The Oslo Accords, officially called the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements or Declaration of Principles , was an attempt to resolve the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict...
, sparring with rival lobbyists Zionist Organization of America
Zionist Organization of America
The Zionist Organization of America , founded in 1897, was one of the first official Zionist organizations in the United States, and, especially early in the 20th century, the primary representative of Jewish Americans to the World Zionist Organization, espousing primarily Political Zionism.Today,...
over the issue. Sher apparently clashed with the board of directors, however, and resigned shortly after Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu is the current Prime Minister of Israel. He serves also as the Chairman of the Likud Party, as a Knesset member, as the Health Minister of Israel, as the Pensioner Affairs Minister of Israel and as the Economic Strategy Minister of Israel.Netanyahu is the first and, to...
's surprise victory in the 1996 Israel prime ministerial election
Israeli prime ministerial election, 1996
The first ever election for Prime Minister was held in Israel on 29 May 1996 alongside simultaneous Knesset elections. There were only two candidates: Shimon Peres of the Labour Party and Binyamin Netanyahu of Likud. The result was a surprise win for Netanyahu by a margin of 29,457 votes, less than...
to return to work on Holocaust-related issues.
In the documentary "I have Never Forgotten You" about famed Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal
Simon Wiesenthal
Simon Wiesenthal KBE was an Austrian Holocaust survivor who became famous after World War II for his work as a Nazi hunter....
, Sher is shown criticizing Wiesenthal with his statement, "There were and still remain today alive, many people who personally suffered at the hands of Joseph Mengele and to hold out hope to them, and these people held out hope, that their tormenter, their torturer, this mass murderer would be brought to justice, when the information was not accurate, I think is cruel."
From 1997 to 2000, Sher was a special adviser to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's war crime
War crime
War crimes are serious violations of the laws applicable in armed conflict giving rise to individual criminal responsibility...
s prosecution unit.
In 1998, Sher became chief of staff for the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims
International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims
The International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims was established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in August 1998 to identify, settle, and pay individual Holocaust era insurance claims at no cost to claimants....
. Sher resigned in June 2002 after a Baltimore Sun investigation disclosed that Sher had received over $5000 for some first-class air travel to Europe, and he disclosed to the commission that he had received "unauthorized reimbursements." According to the chair, former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger
Lawrence Eagleburger
Lawrence Sidney Eagleburger was an American statesman and former career diplomat, who served briefly as the United States Secretary of State under President George H. W. Bush. Previously, he had served in lesser capacities under Presidents Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H....
, Sher made "immediate and full restitution" after self-disclosing the violation.
In 2003, Sher consented to disbarment from the District of Columbia. Sher said he agreed to disbarment because he could not afford to litigate the matter, and remains a member of the New York bar;, despite a provision of New York law, 22 NYCRR 603.3, which requires "reciprocal" disbarment for any attorney disbarred in another jurisdiction. The agreement means that there is no public record of the bar's investigation.
Sher was most recently in the news for his representation of his friend Morris Talansky, who is a witness in the investigation of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
Ehud Olmert
Ehud Olmert is an Israeli politician and lawyer. He served as Prime Minister of Israel from 2006 to 2009, as a Cabinet Minister from 1988 to 1992 and from 2003 to 2006, and as Mayor of Jerusalem from 1993 to 2003....
.