Daniel Morton Davidson

FAVORITE MEMORIES OF WILLIAMS

Bill Gates (the original Bill Gates) – particularly his excitement introducing freshmen to economics for the first time
Victor Hill (harpsichord more than math) – a wonderful character!

WILLIAMS CLUBS / ACTIVITIES

Radio station (freshman year)
Outing Club
Jewish Association

CURRENT INTERESTS, PASSIONS, AND ORGANIZATIONS

Continuing interest in learning across a broad spectrum, including science, math, economics, and foreign languages
Pro bono management consulting for DC-area charities, including affordable housing, nature conservancies, etc.

LIFE SINCE GRADUATION

I am glad to report that I have attained a degree of personal contentment that I would not have thought possible in the past. I am at a good place in my life, although I am acutely aware that all things are fragile.

It is my good fortune (aka dumb luck) to be married to an absolutely wonderful woman, Dianne Schwager. The fact that we have (at least thus far) weathered the Covid pandemic amicably together in the same small bubble is, in my view, powerful evidence of the solidity of our relationship. We together have raised two terrific daughters, Sara and Rachel, who are really good people and who will, I am sure, play important roles in helping the world recover from the multiple messes our generation has created.

I have spent most of my career as a tax lawyer in Washington, DC. For the past 23+ years, I have been a partner (now senior counsel) with Hogan Lovells (formerly Hogan & Hartson). Although far from stress-free, the work has been intellectually engaging and gratifying in many respects, and I have had the privilege of working with many colleagues who are both excellent professionals and very decent human beings. Like many of our generation, a challenge for me during my career has been finding and maintaining a satisfactory work/life balance. I’d like to think I’ve done a decent job of it—I didn’t often miss having dinner with my children at night—but it certainly was an ongoing source of angst.

Retirement now looms ahead, and I must confess that I am struggling a bit with figuring out how best to use the time that remains to me. For the past several years, I have been active in an organization that provides free management consulting services to a variety of charities in the DC area, and I hope to continue with that. And, of course, my wife and I plan to do some traveling once the Covid risk subsides. But otherwise my plans are still very much a “work in progress.” Any suggestions?