John H. Beisner, ’78, made a gift of $50,000 to the Victors for Michigan Law Scholarship Fund. John is a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in the firm’s mass torts, insurance, and consumer litigation group. He began his career with O’Melveny & Myers LLP, where he practiced mass torts and aggregated litigation and also chaired the firm’s class actions group. John resides in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.
John D. Boyles, ’59, made a gift of $50,000 to the John Duvall Boyles Endowed Scholarship Fund. Before his retirement, John was of counsel with Verspoor Waalkes PC, where he practiced real estate law, corporate law, and estate planning. He also served on the board of directors of Old Kent Financial Corporation (now Fifth Third Bank) and as chairman of its audit committee. John resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Bruce R. Byrd, ’93, and Jennifer J. Byrd made a gift of $100,000 to establish the Bruce and Jennifer Byrd Scholarship Fund. Citing the impact higher education has had on their lives, Bruce and Jennifer were inspired to make the gift so that future students have access to a life-changing education regardless of their financial circumstances. Bruce, who also holds an undergraduate degree from U-M, is the executive vice president and general counsel at Palo Alto Networks, Inc. Jennifer is a writer with a BA from UCLA, a JD from the University of San Francisco, and a master’s degree in creative writing from Harvard University. They live in Los Gatos, California.
Robert B. Fiske, Jr., ’55, made a gift of $50,000 to the Law School, of which $45,000 will be directed to the Law School Fund, with the remainder added to the Mark D. West Dean’s Discretionary Fund (read more about this fund). Bob is a senior counsel at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP in New York, where he was a partner in the firm’s litigation practice for 46 years.
Camille Olson, ’83, made a gift of $50,000 in honor of her 40th Reunion. The gift will be divided between the Theodore J. St. Antoine Collegiate Professorship Fund and the Class of 1983 Dean’s Discretionary Fund to Enhance Collegiality. Camille is a partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, where she serves as co-chair of the national complex litigation practice group, national chair of the complex discrimination litigation practice group, and a member of the national labor and employment law steering committee. Camille is also a member of Michigan Law’s Development and Alumni Relations Committee and previously served on the Reunion Committee for the class of 1983. She resides in Chicago.
