Ferdinand “Ferd” Fletcher has not actively practiced law since 1987. But that hasn’t stopped him from keeping an ongoing role with the firm he co-founded more than 60 years ago.
Fletcher, who recently turned 90, still maintains an office in the law firm of Higgs, Fletcher & Mack and comes in at least a couple of times a month.
No, he doesn’t have the same job duties and responsibilities he had in the past, but Fletcher’s role is one of major importance to the firm’s associates.
It’s not uncommon for associates to take the firm’s patriarch to lunch to pick his brain.
“It was a program started by one of the associates here,” said Loren G. Freestone, an associate with the firm since 1999. “It was a great opportunity for us ‘young-uns’ to learn from someone who has been practicing law since 1935.”
Freestone said Fletcher provides insight on how things used to be and gives lessons that are used in the firm’s day-to-day operation. He said the lunches not only benefit the young associates, but also benefits the firm’s clients and the legal community in general.
During his time in practice, Fletcher held several posts in and around the legal community.
He was president of the San Diego County Bar Association, a board member of the San Diego Economic Development Corp., and the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce (now the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce).
Fletcher was also president of the San Diego Society of Crippled Children, which built Children’s Hospital.
He was instrumental in the development of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, and his firm represented the contractor for the present Downtown courthouse.
On June 4, several retired firm members, former and current judges and other members of the legal community gathered to pay tribute to Fletcher on his 90th birthday.
