Alfred J. Law III ’57

 Southern gentleman, journalist and attorney, and Jungian philosopher, Alf died of complications of Parkinson’s disease March 21, 2024.

He came to Princeton from Chattanooga (Tenn.) High School. Receiving the Julius Ochs Adler Scholarship to attend Princeton, it is fitting that, like Mr. Adler of The New York Times, he became a journalist. Alf was president of the Press Club and attained fame for breaking the news of Albert Einstein’s death to the Associated Press and the world. He majored in English, joined Quadrangle Club, and following an early interest in a career as an Episcopal priest, was active in the Student Christian Association and the St. Paul’s Society. His senior-year roommates were Jim Campbell and Paul Klingensmith.

Following graduation, Alf served two years in the Army. He married three times, first to Katherine S. Jarrett, with whom he had three daughters, Mary Eliza, Anna, and Margaret. While working as a journalist for various publications, including The Wall Street Journal, he obtained a master’s degree in history from Columbia. There followed a law degree from New York University and a career change in 1967. Alf spent many years with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, first under the mentorship of Joseph Flom and then as head of the firm’s Washington, D.C., office. Alf served on many boards, particularly in the realm of classical music, which he enjoyed throughout his life.

Retiring early in 1988, he became intent on finding “the meaning of life,” especially through the teachings of Carl G. Jung. Alf had married Glenda Fowler after a second divorce, and they eventually moved to Rhinebeck, N.Y., in the Hudson Valley. He is survived by his wife, his three daughters and their families, and a brother and sister.