Panelists present their views on the influence of press during trials

WHEN THE FIREFIGHTERS UNION in New York vacillated on distributing $70 million to families who lost rescuers in the collapse of the World Trade Center, Randy Mastro L’81 exposed the union to the court of public opinion. He held a news conference. Within 48 hours the matter was settled.

Mastro told this story during a panel discussion on “Fame and Justice” over Reunion weekend. The discussion — part of an annual program called “Classes Without Quizzes” — centered on the role of the media in trials and public affairs.

A master at media manipulation, Mastro, a partner at Gibson Dunn and Crutcher, said, “The press makes a difference and you have to use the press appropriately because the press wants to use you.”