Richard S. Aldrich Jr. ’75 was honored as Vanderbilt Law School’s 2013 Distinguished Alumnus, and Lee S. Cutcliff ’67 (BA’61) with Vanderbilt’s 2013 Distinguished Service Award at the annual Founders Dinner April 12.
Dick Aldrich is a partner with Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, based in Sao Paulo, Brazil. His practice focuses on cross-border securities transactions and international mergers and acquisitions. He was honored for his longstanding support of the law school. In addition to serving as an adjunct law professor, teaching an annual short course in international mergers and acquisitions, Aldrich has established scholarships, led the fundraising for the New York Alumni Chancellor’s Chair, and served on the Alumni Board and on Reunion committees.
After graduating from Vanderbilt, Aldrich joined Shearman & Sterling in New York City. His first overseas posting was in Athens for Citibank’s Middle East/Africa division. He took over the firm’s Hong Kong office in 1984. In 2004, he was named to lead Sherman’s office in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He joined Skadden as head of its Sao Paulo office in 2009. For his efforts in Brazil, he has been awarded the Order of Rio Branco from the Brazilian Government, the Order of Merit and the Santos Dumont Medal from the Brazilian Air Force and the Order of Merit and the Pacificador Medal from the Brazilian Army.
“It’s an honor to call Dick Aldrich an alumnus of Vanderbilt Law School,” Dean Chris Guthrie said. “He has an international practice, but he continues to keep Vanderbilt in his sights, and we are especially fortunate to have him as a member of our adjunct law faculty.”
Lee Cutcliff served in U.S. Army intelligence after earning undergraduate degrees in English and political science at Vanderbilt and returned to earn his law degree after his military service. He began his legal career in private corporate law practice in Denver and then joined the legal department of the Bell System. He ultimately served in the legal departments of AT&T and Lucent Technologies, where he was vice president of law, leading a staff of more than 200 attorneys.
“The Distinguished Service Award recognizes alumni whose commitment to public service reflects honor on the law school and its mission,” Dean Guthrie said. “The law school and university have both benefited greatly from Lee’s presence in the Vanderbilt community for more than 50 years, and I’m delighted to recognize him with our 2013 service award.”
Cutcliff was honored for his involvement with Vanderbilt over more than 50 years. He is a longtime volunteer with the law school, serving on the Board of Advisors and supporting Class Agent and Reunion fundraising programs. He has also supported VLS and Vanderbilt’s College of Arts and Science with gifts and has endowed scholarships at both schools. Cutcliff currently participates in the law school’s Admission Interviewing Program, meeting with prospective students and offering Vanderbilt’s Admission department feedback.
