Florham Park, NJ (September 2023) - Bressler, Amery & Ross is proud to announce that Principal Eric L. Chase has received the Marine Corps Association’s and Marine Corps Gazette’s Distinguished Author Award. The Marine Corps Gazette was founded in 1916 and serves as a professional journal by and for personnel of the United States Marine Corps. It is dedicated to advancing the exchange of ideas concerning the continuous evolution of Marine Corps capabilities. The Distinguished Author Award was established to salute authors who are making significant and continuing contributions to the intellectual side of the Corps. Eric is one of only fourteen Marine officers recognized in this exclusive group of authors. Eric’s Certificate states that it is “For clarity of thought, quality of writing and sustained commitment to professional discourse and the intellectual life of the United States Marine Corps.” The designation is permanent.
Spearheading the annual conference of the Marine Corps Association on August 24, 2023 at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia was Acting Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Eric M. Smith, who congratulated each Distinguished Author. He told a filled-to-capacity audience that this program is vital to the intellectual and strategic strengths of the Corps. He stressed that the Corps always embraces timely change, betterment, and vigorous debate in response to constantly evolving threats and challenges, and insightful professional writing, embodied by the Gazette, is essential to that mission.
The criteria for this award include publishing a minimum of 10 articles in the Gazette, as well as other publications elsewhere. Over several decades, Eric has drafted nearly 40 publications for the Gazette, which are among his total of over 200 articles for various military and other publications.
Eric attended Princeton University from which he graduated in 1968 and received his commission as a second lieutenant at the same time. Thereafter, he went on active duty and served as an infantry officer and platoon commander in Vietnam where he was wounded in action. Eric received the Legion of Merit (2 awards), Purple Heart, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, and Combat Action Ribbon, among other military honors.
Upon his return from Vietnam and exit from active duty, Eric attended the University of Minnesota Law School. While practicing law, he remained in the Marine Corps Reserve and continued to serve as a reservist. Eric retired from the Reserve in 1998 as a colonel, after more than 30 years of active and reserve service, which included command positions and teaching at the Command and Staff College in Quantico, Virginia and elsewhere.
He continued to practice law while authoring numerous legal, military, leadership and national security articles. One such article, “After the Cold War: Expand the Reserves," Marine Corps Gazette (June 1990), was reprinted in The Congressional Record (June 12, 1990) upon the motion of Senator Sam Nunn (D‑Ga.) with the unanimous consent of the Senate. At that time, Senator Nunn observed “I have recently suggested that increased utilization of Reserve Component forces should be one important element of a new military strategy that responds to the recent changes in the threats to our national security. I agree with Colonel Chase that there is a need to develop a new total force package that will include a greatly increased role for the Reserve Components, and I think his article in the Marine Corps Gazette makes an important contribution to this effort.” Eric’s byline has appeared in, among others, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Newsweek, and the Marine Corps Gazette.
Eric has also written dozens of reviews of books on military history and warfighting, including: Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead, by Jim Mattis; Grant, by Ron Chernow; and the #1 New York Times best seller, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, by Laura Hillenbrand.
At Bressler, Eric leads the firm’s franchise law practice. His work includes representation of automotive dealers nationwide in litigation, complex negotiation, and transactions. His courtroom experience spans decades, including his early years as an Assistant United States Attorney in Newark. He has been, and continues to be, lead counsel for clients in state and federal courts at the trial and appellate levels. Among his professional and legal writings are numerous articles in highly regarded automotive publications such as Automotive News. He frequently speaks at conferences, including the National Association of Dealer Counsel (NADC) annual member conference and many other meetings.
“Eric is a highly respected member of our Bressler family,” said Managing Principal Diana C. Manning. “We are very proud of and grateful for his dedication and service to our country. The Marine Corps Gazette’s Distinguished Author recognition is a well-deserved honor.”
Among Eric’s legal recognitions are inclusion in Best Lawyers in America, New Jersey Super Lawyers, and a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating, awarded to attorneys who are ranked by their peers at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards.
These awards are conferred by Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell. A description of the selection methodology for each award can be found by clicking the link above. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.