Young Leaders in Public Service with Nick Colvin

Join the Program in Practical Policy Engagement for a discussion with Nick Colvin, an experienced government, real estate, economic development, and public law attorney with a background working in local, state and federal government.

The Young Leaders in Public Service series provides the opportunity for a small group of Ford School students to hear from and talk with elected officials and staff who will share their journeys, what led them to dedicating their lives to public service, and the skills that have helped them be successful.

Our speaker

Nick Colvin is an experienced government, real estate, economic development, and public law attorney with a background working in local, state and federal government. Nick specializes in representation of clients involved in high profile and complex matters and controversies.

Before returning to Michigan, Nick most recently served as General Counsel, Assistant City Treasurer, and Senior Advisor to the City of Chicago Treasurer, serving as the chief legal officer for a citywide elected official tasked with investing more than $7 billion of public funds. He oversaw compliance with federal, state and local laws related to investment and management of city funds, government ethics, employment, procurement, FOIA, the Open Meetings Act, and other applicable laws, as well as the incorporation and subsequent administration of the Chicago Community Catalyst Fund—a $100 million, first-of-its-kind city-seeded investment fund tasked with investing in economic development projects in communities with historical disinvestment.

Nick previously served in the White House Counsel’s office, where he was part of the West Wing team responsible for advising President Barack Obama, White House senior officials and federal agencies on litigation, development of legislative and administrative proposals, as well as investigations and presidential nominations. During this period, Nick also worked on the President’s top policy initiatives, including addressing the economic crisis of 2008, response to the BP Oil Spill, supporting the auto industry recovery and reforming the country’s health care system. Earlier in his career, Nick served as Personal Aide to then-Senator Obama and as a Special Assistant to Mrs. Michelle Obama on the 2008 Obama for America presidential campaign.

Nick has also served as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Michigan and in this capacity represented the Governor in negotiations connected with removal of a controversial oil pipeline in the Great Lakes, and also currently serves in this capacity as a member of the legal team counseling the Governor on the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nick is also actively involved in many civic and non-profit causes and organizations.  He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Harvard Law School.

• Young Leaders
• Domestic policy
• Nick Colvin