Vera Institute of Justice

David is senior counsel with Pershing Square Capital Management, L.P. He practiced law from 1980-96, culminating as a litigation partner with White & Case. Since 1996, David has worked in the investing world as a principal and general counsel with Gotham Partners, L.P., then as COO of Festina Lente Investment Management, LP, and now with Pershing Square. David received his BA with honors in American Studies in 1976 from Northwestern University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and his JD in 1980 from New York University.

David’s charitable work includes: Northwestern University, Board of Visitors, 1997-2017; Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst, Director and VP since 1998; Kaufman Center, Trustee, 2004-2011; Pershing Square Foundation, Director since 2009; The Rockefeller University Council, 2016 to present; Cathedral School of St. John the Divine. Trustee and Member of the Executive Committee, 2011-14; Signature Theatre, Director since 2012; Student Sponsor Partnership, sponsor and mentor since 1998; Robin Hood Foundation Immigrant Opportunity Fund, Advisory Board Member, starting 2018. David and his wife Nancy Kestenbaum live in New York City with their children, Rebecca and Ben. Nancy, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York, is co-chair of Covington & Burling’s white-collar group.