(L to R): Peter Thomas, Managing Partner, Powers Law; Adriana DeMercurio, 2025 Bobby Silverstein Inaugural Fellow; Maria Town, President and CEO, American Association of People with Disabilities
”The ADA reminds us that civil rights are not static; they must be defended, advanced, and reimagined with each generation. At Powers, we are proud to support the next generation of disability leaders who are shaping the future of policy and access. It’s not only how we honor Bobby’s legacy, but how we carry it forward.”
- Peter W. Thomas, J.D., Managing PartnerPowers Law
The Bobby Silverstein Fellowship
Advancing Disability Rights Through Law and Policy
Launched in October 2024 to commemorate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), the Bobby Silverstein Fellowship honors the legacy of Robert “Bobby” Silverstein, a champion of disability rights and longtime partner at Powers Law.
Developed in a partnership between Powers, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), and the Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy (CSAPD), the Fellowship is a paid, annual opportunity designed to support the next generation of disability policy leaders.
Each summer, an individual with a strong interest in disability issues from a legal standpoint is competitively selected through the AAPD Disability Policy Internship Program. Silverstein fellows are juniors or higher and participate in-person in Washington, DC, and develop a public policy perspective on specific disability issues.
Through mentorship, hands-on experience, and community-building, the Bobby Silverstein Fellowship empowers emerging advocates to continue the work that Bobby dedicated his life to—driving systemic change and expanding opportunity for people with disabilities through sound public policy grounded in the law.
About Bobby Silverstein
Bobby was a principal architect of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and a trusted advisor to lawmakers, advocates, and organizations nationwide. His legal expertise, strategic vision, and deep commitment to justice helped shape nearly every major piece of federal disability rights legislation over three decades .
The Bobby Silverstein Fellowship continues his legacy by supporting those who will shape the future of disability policy.