John P. Fishwick Jr.
John Palmer Fishwick Jr. (born 1957) is an attorney in Roanoke, Virginia who served as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia.
John Fishwick | |
---|---|
United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia | |
In office December 21, 2015 – January 6, 2017 | |
Appointed by | Barack Obama |
Preceded by | Timothy J. Heaphy |
Succeeded by | Thomas T. Cullen |
Personal details | |
Born | John Palmer Fishwick Jr. 1957 (age 65–66) Roanoke, Virginia, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Residence(s) | Roanoke, Virginia |
Alma mater | Harvard University (AB) Washington & Lee University (JD) |
Occupation | Attorney |
Born in Roanoke, Virginia, John is a graduate of Harvard College. He graduated in 1979. Fishwick furthered his education at Washington and Lee University, graduating from the law school in 1983.
Fishwick worked in private practice for nearly thirty years before being nominated by President Barack Obama to the position of U.S. Attorney. While the highest-ranking law enforcement officer in the District, Fishwick dedicated his time to the prosecution of violent criminals and potential solutions to a growing heroin epidemic. He resigned on January 6, 2017.[1]
After leaving the position, he began working in private practice again at his newly created firm, Fishwick & Associates in downtown Roanoke.[2] Fishwick led the efforts to rename tennis courts in Roanoke after Carnis Poindexter, an African American tennis trailblazer from Roanoke.[3] Fishwick also led the charge to stop the excessive pay for the chief executive officer of CSX Corporation. Recently, he began the campaign to rename Roanoke's Federal Building after Reuben E. Lawson, a civil rights lawyer.[4]
John's father, John Fishwick Sr., was a railroad executive and prominent community leader in Roanoke. The John P. Fishwick Middle School was recently renamed for him.[5]
References
- "United States Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. to Resign Effective January 6, 2017". www.justice.gov. 2016-12-30. Retrieved 2019-09-28.
- Sturgeon, Jeff. "U.S. attorney John Fishwick to resign, return to private practice". Roanoke Times. Retrieved 2017-10-10.
- 434marketing; Recreation, Roanoke Parks And (2018-06-04). "Tennis Courts Renamed for Local Legend". Roanoke Parks And Recreation. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
- Yancey, Dwayne (2022-10-12). "Should Roanoke's federal courthouse be renamed?". Cardinal News. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
- Adkins, Andrew (March 21, 2019). "Roanoke honors family of John P. Fishwick at middle school dedication". Roanoke Times. Retrieved September 28, 2019.