Norman “Nick” Davidson III – 50th Reunion Essay

Norman “Nick” Davidson III

3360 East Foothill Blvd

Apt 405

Pasadena, CA 91107

nickdavidson3@aol.com

626-627-4939

College: Berkeley

I am grateful for the mentors and colleagues with whom I have worked during my career as a lawyer. After my graduation from Virginia law school, I was the law clerk for Judge Albert Lee Stephens, chief judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of California. For most of my adult life, the Judge, as his law clerks called him, was a source of invaluable advice and counsel, great fun to be with, and a wonderful friend who made each of his law clerks think that he or she was his favorite. (Yes, I was his favorite!)

I have been privileged to work with exceptional lawyers on complicated, challenging, and often highly contentious litigation matters. We shared the same values, above all strategic thinking constantly adapted to changing circumstances, integrity in all of our dealings, and the iron will to persevere until the client’s matter has been successfully resolved.

I have always been interested in health, fitness, longevity and advances in medical science. In 1980, I was asked by City of Hope Radiologists to organize and act as the president of the group owning the diagnostic center offering state-of-the-art computerized axial tomography scanning (CT scanning) for City of Hope patients. In early 1984, coincident with COH installing its own CT scanner, the diagnostic center was up with MRI, the first outpatient center offering MRI in California and among the first three in the nation. In 1984, I developed a cancer treatment center in Mission Viejo offering radiation oncology, adult and pediatric oncology, and specialized procedures such as brachytherapy. Our mission was to bring in one setting the best in science, technology, medicine, highly trained and caring physicians as well as the best of holistic/alternative medicine. My current work is as an executor and trustee. This has been both challenging and very satisfying to accomplish important goals for beneficiaries for whom I am a fiduciary.

I am most grateful for my wonderful family. My daughter Elizabeth, whose birth was announced at a Yale football game, my daughter Abbey, my son Norm, my three 6-year-old granddaughters, two of whom are twins, and two teenage grandchildren who live in Norway. Our children become our “kitchen cabinet,” cherished friends and advisors. Mary Morrissey has been at my side as a wonderful friend and indispensable as an attorney in the practice of law and the development of and management of our medical centers.

As I reach my early 70s, I sometimes worry that I am not as useful, relevant and perhaps even superfluous. Then I remind myself of who we are, what we have endured and accomplished, and our living memory of the importance of our cherished institutions and democracy. Never in our lifetime has there been a time more in need of our help and involvement.