Federal Bar Council Quarterly Interviews Partner Frederic S. Nathan on Public Service Book

A Q&A with partner Frederic S. Nathan has been published in the Federal Bar Council Quarterly (summer 2010) issue regarding the publication of his book, Centurions in Public Service. Mr. Nathan served as the president of the Federal Bar Council in 1975 and 1976. His book reviews how members of the Century Association, a small New York club, extensively served in high positions of federal public service.

He noted members of the club (Centurions) occupied the White House for 56 of the 80 years from 1881 to 1961. Three served as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court for 25 years beginning 1921. Fifty were appointed to the Cabinet. The Department of State was headed by the Centurions for 57 of the 111 years ending in 1980.

Mr. Nathan previously worked as an assistant U.S. attorney under J. Edward Lumbard, and as the first assistant corporation counsel for New York City. He joined Kelley Drye in 1948, when 20% of the partners were Centurions.