2024 Evening of Hope Honoree – Myra R. Elliott Trustee Award
Bill McInerney is a former partner of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP. Bill retired in 2020 after a nearly 39-year legal career in New York City.
Bill’s clients included major financial institutions and other investors in real estate and related transactions. At the time of his retirement, he was Co-Chair of Cadwalader’s Finance Practice and a member of the Firm’s Management Committee.
In recognition of his expertise, Bill was consistently named a ‘‘Leading Lawyer’’ in the area of Real Estate Finance by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. He also was annually recognized by Legal 500 U.S. and Best Lawyers in America as a leading practitioner.
Bill brought all of his legal and financial expertise to the Center for Hope & Safety’s Board, serving three terms from November 2013 to February 2022. During what was a truly transformative time for the agency, his knowledge and experience were invaluable in guiding Center for Hope & Safety in defining and implementing sound policies and practices.
A key member of the Board’s leadership team, Bill served as Treasurer from February 2018 to February 2022. He was a longtime member and chair of the Finance Committee, as well as chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee and an active member of the Human Resources and Strategic Planning Committees. Co-chairing the Capital Campaign Committee with his wife, Maryrose McInerney, and Anita Allen, is one of Bill’s greatest contributions to the organization. The campaign resulted in the purchase of our current home in Rochelle Park. As anyone who has had the privilege of working with Bill can attest to, he is a stickler for detail and frequently challenges assumptions—qualities that were valued by his fellow board members and Center for Hope & Safety leadership. In addition to supporting the agency in successfully navigating an era of change, Bill also helped the Board navigate its own evolution from being involved in day-to-day operations to focusing on governance and strategic vision.
Bill has always been very generous with his time to assist Center for Hope & Safety. He brought an objective voice to the table, was always engaged, and inspired other board members with his actions.
Julye Myner, Executive Director of Center for Hope & Safety
Bill’s ongoing dedication to community service includes serving as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he earned his B.A., and as a trustee and volunteer with Meals on Wheels North Jersey. His pro-bono legal activities include his current role as an In-House Attorney Volunteer with Northeast New Jersey Legal Services and his work with the Parole Advocacy Initiative as an Attorney Emeritus of the New York State Courts.
We are honored to present Bill McInerney with the Myra R. Elliott Outstanding Trustee Award for 2024.