In Their Element
Professor Howard Erichson’s Lake House Retreat
Being here is meditative. There’s this constant return to the present moment, this constant effort to just be in this moment right now. Music does that for me, birding does that for me, and teaching does that for me, too.”
In Their Element
Professor Howard Erichson’s Lake House Retreat
Being here is meditative. There’s this constant return to the present moment, this constant effort to just be in this moment right now. Music does that for me, birding does that for me, and teaching does that for me, too.”
For Professor Howard Erichson, a leading scholar on complex litigation, his lake house in Putnam County, New York, isn’t just a summer escape; it’s a quiet, grounding place where his many passions—from the law to music to birding—settle into harmony. “It’s this magnificently pristine lake, which is kind of amazing, and it’s surrounded by reservoir land,” waxes Erichson. “It feels like you’re in the Adirondacks, even though you’re actually in the New York City exurbs.”
About an hour north of Fordham Law School, perched over a natural spring-fed lake surrounded by dense woods and hiking paths, the house has become Erichson’s creative and intellectual anchor. It’s where he wrote his seminal casebook, Civil Procedure, dockside on a laptop. But it’s also where he plays music, composes songs, and searches the skies as an avid birder.
The patience of birding—the slow, attentive listening for movement in the trees—mirrors the care he brings to teaching courses on Civil Procedure, Complex Litigation, Professional Responsibility, and Torts. “Being here is meditative,” says Erichson. “There’s this constant return to the present moment, this constant effort to just be in this moment right now. Music does that for me, birding does that for me, and teaching does that for me, too.”
Put a Bird on It
As part of his birding, Erichson leans on his smartphone, using apps such as eBird—where he has logged more than 100 species around his home—and Merlin, which helps him identify and learn about the birds he encounters.
As part of his birding, Erichson leans on his smartphone, using apps such as eBird—where he has logged more than 100 species around his home—and Merlin, which helps him identify and learn about the birds he encounters.
Listening in
At night, Erichson likes to sleep with windows open to hear the owls and early morning birdsong. He’s spotted bald eagles and hawks, but he says the most thrilling are warblers, which pass through only during their spring or fall migration.
At night, Erichson likes to sleep with windows open to hear the owls and early morning birdsong. He’s spotted bald eagles and hawks, but he says the most thrilling are warblers, which pass through only during their spring or fall migration.
Inspirations
Erichson’s taste in music is eclectic, drawing inspiration from rock, hip-hop, folk, and jazz. His diverse influences range from classic rockers Led Zeppelin to jazz drummer Max Roach to rappers Eminem and Kendrick Lamar.
Erichson’s taste in music is eclectic, drawing inspiration from rock, hip-hop, folk, and jazz. His diverse influences range from classic rockers Led Zeppelin to jazz drummer Max Roach to rappers Eminem and Kendrick Lamar.
Making Music
In addition to playing guitar, banjo, and drums, Erichson also loves to compose music, with many of his songs available on Spotify. He is currently collaborating with musicians across the country on his latest song, “The Elephant.”
In addition to playing guitar, banjo, and drums, Erichson also loves to compose music, with many of his songs available on Spotify. He is currently collaborating with musicians across the country on his latest song, “The Elephant.”
Game on
“We always have games and puzzles,” says Erichson, who is a crossword fanatic and has attended the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament twice. “Life is more interesting when you’re doing things and using your mind and body.”
“We always have games and puzzles,” says Erichson, who is a crossword fanatic and has attended the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament twice. “Life is more interesting when you’re doing things and using your mind and body.”
Beat Box
Always curious about new instruments and exploring new sounds, Erichson slaps a cajón—a wooden, box-shaped drum from Peru that was gifted to him on his birthday by his family.
Always curious about new instruments and exploring new sounds, Erichson slaps a cajón—a wooden, box-shaped drum from Peru that was gifted to him on his birthday by his family.
Put a Bird on It
As part of his birding, Erichson leans on his smartphone, using apps such as eBird—where he has logged more than 100 species around his home—and Merlin, which helps him identify and learn about the birds he encounters.
As part of his birding, Erichson leans on his smartphone, using apps such as eBird—where he has logged more than 100 species around his home—and Merlin, which helps him identify and learn about the birds he encounters.
Listening in
At night, Erichson likes to sleep with windows open to hear the owls and early morning birdsong. He’s spotted bald eagles and hawks, but he says the most thrilling are warblers, which pass through only during their spring or fall migration.
At night, Erichson likes to sleep with windows open to hear the owls and early morning birdsong. He’s spotted bald eagles and hawks, but he says the most thrilling are warblers, which pass through only during their spring or fall migration.
Inspirations
Erichson’s taste in music is eclectic, drawing inspiration from rock, hip-hop, folk, and jazz. His diverse influences range from classic rockers Led Zeppelin to jazz drummer Max Roach to rappers Eminem and Kendrick Lamar.
Erichson’s taste in music is eclectic, drawing inspiration from rock, hip-hop, folk, and jazz. His diverse influences range from classic rockers Led Zeppelin to jazz drummer Max Roach to rappers Eminem and Kendrick Lamar.
Making Music
In addition to playing guitar, banjo, and drums, Erichson also loves to compose music, with many of his songs available on Spotify. He is currently collaborating with musicians across the country on his latest song, “The Elephant.”
In addition to playing guitar, banjo, and drums, Erichson also loves to compose music, with many of his songs available on Spotify. He is currently collaborating with musicians across the country on his latest song, “The Elephant.”
Game on
“We always have games and puzzles,” says Erichson, who is a crossword fanatic and has attended the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament twice. “Life is more interesting when you’re doing things and using your mind and body.”
“We always have games and puzzles,” says Erichson, who is a crossword fanatic and has attended the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament twice. “Life is more interesting when you’re doing things and using your mind and body.”
Beat Box
Always curious about new instruments and exploring new sounds, Erichson slaps a cajón—a wooden, box-shaped drum from Peru that was gifted to him on his birthday by his family.
Always curious about new instruments and exploring new sounds, Erichson slaps a cajón—a wooden, box-shaped drum from Peru that was gifted to him on his birthday by his family.