David F. Greenberg, a longtime sociology professor at New York University who died in July 2024, left behind an estate valued at over $6 million that sparked a legal dispute over its intended recipient. The contested funds were part of a retirement account originally earmarked for the National Association for Men (N.A.M.), a leftist organization that merged decades ago with the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee to form the Democratic Socialists of America (D.S.A.).
Greenberg’s estate was administered by his nephew, Martin Hecht, who filed a lawsuit claiming that the professor intended his assets to benefit family members rather than the D.S.A., given that N.A.M. — the original beneficiary named in the retirement plan — was no longer active. Hecht emphasized Greenberg’s close family ties, stating that the professor valued familial relationships above all else, frequently participating in family occasions and maintaining a deep connection to his lineage.
The dispute unfolded in Manhattan federal court over nearly 18 months, raising questions not only about Greenberg’s last wishes but also shedding light on the origins of the D.S.A. The organization's membership has surged in recent years, nearly doubling to approximately 126,000, yet it historically relies on dues rather than large donations. The $6.6 million in question would be a significant contribution, exceeding its last reported net assets of $4.7 million as of 2024.
At issue in the case was the interpretation of Greenberg’s designation of N.A.M. “or any successor thereof” as beneficiary after his parents’ deaths. The D.S.A.’s legal team argued that the 1982 merger, which brought together N.A.M. and the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee to form the D.S.A., represented a seamless succession. Historical documents, including news coverage and declarations from former N.A.M. leaders, were presented to support this position. D.S.A. officials noted Greenberg had been a dues-paying member for nearly three decades and that the organization would welcome the funds to support its mission.
Greenberg’s colleagues and former students recalled him as a principled scholar and radical thinker whose political commitments spanned decades. Born in 1942 in Evanston, Illinois, he was active in the civil rights movement and anti-Vietnam War protests during the 1960s and 1970s. Over nearly 50 years at N.Y.U., Greenberg contributed significantly to sociology, particularly through his writings on Marxist criminology and the history of same-sex relationships, reflecting his wide-ranging intellectual curiosity.
Despite his ideological commitments, some close to Greenberg maintained that he intended his retirement funds to remain within the family. A former doctoral student and longstanding friend recalled conversations in which the professor explicitly stated his wish to leave his estate to his sisters and later to his nephews. Greenberg had designated smaller retirement accounts to family beneficiaries without dispute.
In July 2024, Judge Paul A. Engelmayer ruled in favor of the D.S.A., declaring it the legal successor to N.A.M. and thus entitled to the funds. The decision was based on evidence of the organizational merger and Greenberg’s longstanding membership. The estate appealed, and the funds were placed in a court-controlled account pending resolution.
On the final day of the court proceedings, the parties announced a settlement. Under the agreement, the approximately $6.6 million will be transferred to the D.S.A., while the organization agreed to waive its claim for legal fees against the estate. The transfer remains subject to judicial approval.
The case highlights the complexities that can arise when individual political legacies intersect with family interests and historical evolutions of advocacy groups. For the D.S.A., the infusion of funds represents an unprecedented financial milestone amid its recent growth and increasing influence in American political discourse.