When Eugene Nickerson, a descendant of President John Adams, joined the firm, its name changed to Nickerson, Kramer, Lowenstein, Nessen & Kamin. The firm's current name, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, resulted from personnel changes over a number of years, including Nickerson leaving to join the federal bench of the Eastern District of New York; Lou Lowenstein joining the faculty of Columbia Law School; Gary P. Naftalis becoming a name partner; and Marvin E. Frankel, a former Southern District of New York judge, joining the Firm.