The University of Michigan Law Quadrangle reported in its Fall 2016 issue that NAFUSA member Robert Fiske (SDNY 1976-1980) celebrated in July the 15th anniversary of the program he developed at the law school to launch government service careers.

In July, Fiske Fellows gathered in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the program that helped them get their starts, and the man who made it possible. In 2001, Bob Fiske, ’55, HLLD ’97, created the Robert B. Fiske Jr. Fellowship Program for Government Service to encourage recent Michigan Law graduates to pursue positions as government lawyers. The fellowship pays both college and law school debt for three years plus a stipend; it has supported 49 fellows to date. Fiske, who is senior counsel at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, has spent large portions of his career in public service and says the synergy between public service and private practice makes people who do both better at each. “I want graduates to reap the life-changing benefits of government service without having to worry about their debt.” As evidenced by the tributes presented to Fiske at the celebration, he has more than accomplished that mission.

The 2016 Fellows are pictured below with Bob Fiske (left to right) Caroline Flynn, ’13, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Legal Counsel; Ben Clark, ’14, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; John Broderick, ’13, environment and natural resources division of the U.S. Department of Justice; and Megan DeMarco, ’16, New York County District Attorney’s Office.

The Law Quadrangle also reported the Fiske was selected by the American Inns of Court to receive the 2016 Lewis F. Powell Jr. Award for Professionalism and Ethics. The award was presented at the Supreme Court of the United States. Fiske is senior counsel at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP.