NEW ORLEANS – Former Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, now special counsel at the Fishman Haygood law firm, has been appointed by the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School as a spring 2024 visiting fellow.
Edwards joins a select group of eight fellows, each chosen to bring their expertise and insight to Harvard’s students and community given their diverse experience in global politics, elected office, legal affairs and journalism. Their role is to help inspire students to pursue careers in public service and prepare the next generation to provide impactful leadership.
“I am honored and delighted to be among such a prestigious group of fellows selected to the IOP program,” said Edwards. “I look forward to connecting with the Harvard community and imparting the knowledge I gained during my time as governor of Louisiana. I hope that by sharing my experiences as a public servant with our future leaders, it will help prepare them for the challenges that lie ahead in their professional careers.”
Edwards is the only visiting fellow among seven other resident fellows, meaning that he will attend IOP for a shorter stay and participate in a variety of comprehensive discussions, events and programming. The IOP Resident Fellows are fully engaged with the Harvard community. They reside on campus, mentor a cohort of undergraduate students, hold weekly office hours, and lead an eight-week study group based on their experience and expertise. Each fellowship is individually tailored to the background of the visiting fellow, as well as his or her calendar availability.
Edwards served two terms as 56th governor of Louisiana before joining Fishman Haygood. Prior to his governorship, he was a practicing attorney in his hometown of Amite, La. He was elected to the Louisiana State House of Representatives in 2008 and was reelected to the legislature until being elected governor in 2015. Among his many national and regional appointments, Edwards was appointed to the Council of Governors by President Obama (2016), President Trump (2017) and President Biden (2021). He co-chaired the council’s committee on cyber security from 2021 through 2023.
Edwards graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1988 and accepted a commission to the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. In eight years of active duty, he earned Airborne, Ranger and Jumpmaster status, which culminated with the command of a rifle company in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. Following his military service, he enrolled in Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center. After graduating law school, he clerked for Judge James L. Dennis of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
