William D. Zabel Dies at 89, Lawyer Who Helped Void Loving Conviction

Q: Is the tool Zabel used against Madoff now a threat to the very rights he defended?

Yes. The tool Zabel helped deploy against Bernard Madoff — civil asset forfeiture — is widely seen today as a threat to due process and property rights, even though it can be effective in extraordinary fraud cases. In the Madoff aftermath, forfeiture served a clear public purpose: recovering billions tied to a vast criminal scheme and returning money to victims. In that setting, it was used against assets closely linked to proven fraud and helped produce one of the largest recoveries in U.S. history. The problem is that civil forfeiture does not require a criminal conviction. It is an action against property, and the government often needs only a lower standard of proof than in criminal court. Critics across the legal spectrum say that makes abuse easier, especially in routine cases involving cars, cash, or homes owned by people never charged with a crime. The main rights concern is due process. Owners often must fight to get property back, pay their own lawyers, and navigate proceedings where the value of the seized property may be too small to justify a legal battle. In many places, law enforcement agencies also keep some forfeiture proceeds, creating an incentive structure that reform advocates say distorts policing. So the answer is twofold: in a case like Madoff’s, forfeiture can be a powerful remedy for victims; in ordinary practice, it can undermine the same civil liberties Zabel spent much of his life defending.

1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 8

William D. Zabel died Tuesday at his home in Bedford, New York, at 89; his wife said Parkinson’s disease was the cause.
Zabel built a high-profile legal career representing wealthy clients in divorces, wills and prenuptial agreements, including George Soros, Rupert Murdoch and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
His broader legacy reached beyond celebrity lawyering: he played a pivotal role in Loving v. Virginia, which overturned the conviction of Mildred and Richard Loving for interracial marriage.
He also helped recover billions from Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme through what was then the largest civil forfeiture in U.S. history and later led immigrant and human-rights legal groups.

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The New York Times2h ago

William D. Zabel, Lawyer and Civil Rights Champion, Dies at 89 from Parkinson's

How did one lawyer champion both billionaire divorces and landmark civil rights cases?

Is the tool Zabel used against Madoff now a threat to the very rights he defended?

How is Zabel’s legacy fueling today's human rights fight in Central America?

Remembering William D. Zabel: Architect of Landmark Civil Rights Victories and Philanthropic Legacy (1937–2026)

Overview

William D. Zabel, who passed away at 89 in Bedford, New York, was a renowned legal titan and founding partner of Schulte Roth & Zabel. He built a distinguished career representing wealthy and celebrity clients, shaping the fields of wealth management and complex litigation. Beyond his legal achievements, Zabel was a passionate advocate for civil rights and justice, dedicating his life to advancing human rights and supporting landmark cases like Loving v. Virginia. His legacy is marked by both professional excellence and a deep commitment to humanitarian causes, inspiring future generations in law and public service.

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The New York Times2h ago

William D. Zabel, Lawyer and Civil Rights Champion, Dies at 89 from Parkinson's

William D. Zabel Dies at 89, Lawyer Who Helped Void Loving Conviction

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Remembering William D. Zabel: Architect of Landmark Civil Rights Victories and Philanthropic Legacy (1937–2026)

Overview

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