A boy from Illinois who used to sit at the local jail now sits in an office that overlooks a small courtyard in the administration building.
Frederick Naffziger, professor of business law, started at Indiana University South Bend in 1973.
But teaching was not his ultimate goal.
“I was looking to try this [teaching] for a year or two,” said Naffziger, “then I intended to practice law full time.”
In high school he would sit at the local jail, as an observer, watching the police and the attorneys. It was during this time of observing that he became interested in law.
“I mostly sat there [jail] and I kept my eyes open, my ears open and my mouth shut,” said Naffziger.
He was intrigued by the hierarchy of the police.
“Then what I kind of noticed as a kid was that what I thought was on the top was the attorneys,” said Naffziger.
He then began hanging around the courthouse.
“I decided, hey this looked interesting to me,” said Naffziger.
Naffziger attended the University of Illinois. In 1970 he graduated with his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in law. He specializes in freedom of religion and corporate law. He began practicing law part-time and taught at Southern Illinois University in 1970.
It was in 1973 that Naffziger decided to come teach at IUSB.
He was attracted to some of the benefits and opportunities the IU system offered. He also thought South Bend was a nice size town and good environment to raise his family. He decided to set up roots in the community.IUSB has offered Naffziger the opportunity to go to other countries.
He spent a month in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia where he taught law in an IU project for the Arabian American Oil Company (Aramco).
Naffziger also volunteers legal assistance locally.
While he is not licensed to practice law in the state of Indiana, he can practice if it involves a federal law such as labor or immigration law.
He volunteers to help represent immigrants seeking asylum in the United States.
“They get asylum because they are going to be persecuted in their home country for a variety of reasons,” said Naffziger. “One reason is because they are on the opposite political side of the people in power.”
This past year Naffziger has provided voluntary legal assistance to a third generation of a family.
Law isn’t the only thing that gives Naffizer joy.
“I just found I enjoy writing,” said Naffziger.
Naffziger’s joy of writing started in high school when he started writing for the newspaper. He was also co-editor of the high school yearbook and wrote for two years on the college newspaper.
He has been published in scholarly journals such as the “American Business Law Journal” and “Labor Law Journal”. He has also co-authored several books such as “Study Guide for Business Law: Key Issues and Concepts” and “Legal Perspectives on American Business Associations”.
In July 2004 he had an appearance on NBC’s Nightly News with correspondent Anne Thompson. He has also been interviewed on BBC.
“It’s [writing] something where I can use my skills to educate people,” said Naffziger.
He also believes students get a better education at a university like IUSB than most people think.
“Students get a decent high quality education here,” said Naffziger. “I think I’ve played a small part in doing that.”
From law books to the power of the quill
Published: Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Updated: Tuesday, March 9, 2010
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