Robert S Rivkin

Adding another member to the long list of Chicagoans in the Obama administration, Rivkin comes aboard the Department of Transportation (DOT) as its chief legal counsel. He’ll also be a close adviser to Secretary of Transportation Raymond H. Lahood. Rivkin grew up in Chicago, Ill. His father, William R. Rivkin, served in World War II as a U.S. Army colonel. In 1962, William Rivkin became the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, where he would serve until 1965, before becoming ambassador to Senegal and Gambia. While serving the U.S. in the African nations, William Rivkin died suddenly of a heart attack in 1967."Cindy Moelis and Robert Rivkin Marry," New York Times, May 8, 1988(1)"Cindy Moelis and Robert Rivkin Marry," New York Times, May 8, 1988 Robert’s mother, a former trustee to Columbia College in Chicago for 20 years, began funding an American Foreign Service Association award that honors those who display “constructive dissent” among Foreign Service officers.Janega, James, "Enid H. Long, 71," Chicago Tribune, Jan. 29, 2002(2)Janega, James, "Enid H. Long, 71," Chicago Tribune, Jan. 29, 2002 The younger Rivkin attended Harvard University for undergraduate, earning a B.A. in 1982. A few years later, Rivkin went to Stanford University law school, where he gained degree in 1987. Rivkin then became a law clerk to Judge Joel M. Flaum of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, where he stayed until 1988. From 1989 to 1994, Rivkin worked as the assistant U.S. attorney for the northern district of Illinois. In 1994, Rivkin became the director of programs and policy for the city of Chicago’s law department, where he advised the mayor’s office and other city commissioners on legal matters. Next, Rivkin moved to private practice, in 1998, joining the Chicago law firm Schiff, Hardin & Waite, where he concentrated on commercial litigation. Deputy general counsel for Aon Corp. (2004 to 2009); General counsel for the Chicago Transit Authority (2001 to 2004); Schiff, Hardin & Waite (1998 to 2001) Married to Cindy Moelis