Glen Fewkes
Director, Health Care Access & Affordability, AARP
Fox Rothschild, 2008-2011
- J.D., University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, 2008
- Certificate in Business and Public Policy, The Wharton School, 2008
- B.S., Brigham Young University, 2004
What attracted you to your current position at AARP?
My team at AARP advocates for state and federal legislation that will expand and protect access to health care for older people. At Fox, I was part of the Public Finance and Infrastructure practice groups, and we did a lot of policy-adjacent work with state and local governments. That experience whet my appetite for working in the policy and government realm. I was interested in health care policy in particular because it’s a sector that has both large-scale and individual impacts. About one-fifth of the U.S. economy is health care related, and health care issues also affect every individual in a major way.
Who were some of your most memorable mentors?
I was lucky to be surrounded by so many great attorneys during my time at Fox, and I learned a lot from each of them. Kevin Scott, the head of my department in Philadelphia, was always very patient with me as I learned the ropes and had such a methodical approach to legal issues. Tris Fall is a very talented writer, and he helped me refine my writing skills. Mark McCreary’s easy demeanor with clients always impressed me. And Nevena Simidjiyska, who is a partner now but at the time was an associate, had such infectious enthusiasm and helped me get rolling as a young attorney.
What skills did you hone as a Fox lawyer that remain with you today?
Reading for detail and precise writing. There is a lot of overlap between the skill set I developed at Fox and the skill set I use in my legislative and policy work. Both require careful reading of complicated legal documents, paying attention to whose interests are at stake, and determining how to get the best outcome for the people you represent. In terms of writing, in both fields it’s important to convey your point with your particular audience in mind and to dedicate the time and attention necessary to get it right.
Where would we find you on a Saturday morning?
Probably mowing my lawn with my red Phillies cap on and the latest podcast in my earbuds. I listen to Slate’s Political Gabfest, and a bunch of other podcasts every week. After that, I'm usually driving a minivan around town, taking my kids to a dozen different activities and appointments.
