Jack H. Nusbaum, a member of the Cowen’s board of directors since November 2009, passed away unexpectedly on January 11, the company announced in a news release today.

Prior to his appointment on the Cowen board of directors, Nusbaum served as chairman of the New York law firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP from 1987-2009, and as a partner the past 50 years.

Cowen said that as a member of its board of directors, as well as a senior partner with its outside counsel, Nusbaum was a friend and advisor to members of the company’s leadership for more than 30 years. 

“All of us at Cowen are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our long-time board member Jack Nusbaum,” Jeffrey M. Solomon, Cowen chair and CEO, said in the news release. “He was a member of our family. His wise counsel, intuitive insights and moral compass have made us a better organization over the past decade.”

Founded in 1918, Cowen is a diversified financial services firm that operates through two business segments: a broker-dealer and an investment management division. The company has offices worldwide and is headquartered in New York City.