David Wertheim ’79

David Wertheim ’79 graduated from Montclair State with a bachelor’s degree in history and went on to earn a law degree from Seton Hall Law School in 1984. From there, he served as a judicial law clerk, practiced law at a Newark-based firm and went on to work in the legal department of Volvo Cars of North America. In 2001, he joined Ferrari North America and has been the vice president and general counsel ever since.

As the only in-house lawyer, he handles all of the company’s legal matters in the United States, Canada and both Central and South America.

When Wertheim entered Montclair State, he knew he wanted to pursue history. Growing up, it had always been a favorite subject and success in history courses continued throughout college. While he enjoyed courses, he also became involved in the campus outside of the classroom. Wertheim wrote for the Montclarion, played intramural sports and became a regular broadcaster for WMSC, the campus radio station. At WMSC, he commentated on women’s basketball for three years and has fond memories of traveling with the team for various competitions, including a road trip to broadcast the 1978 Women’s Final Four.

“Montclair State introduced me to interests that I wouldn’t have had exposure to elsewhere,” he says. “It was through these opportunities that I learned a lot and broadened my interests.”

Wertheim has remained an active alumnus by serving on the board of the Alumni Association and in 2006 was presented with the distinguished Carpe Diem award by President Susan A. Cole.

“I’m thankful for my time at Montclair State, and I’ve always believed that it’s important to give back to the institution that gave me so many wonderful opportunities.”