A new endowment honors the legacy of SEC veteran and dedicated alumnus Scott Friestad

As Scott Friestad (83BBA, 86JD) moved through the legal world, from private practice to a leadership role at the Securities and Exchange Commission, he left deep, positive impressions on colleagues, mentees and even his opponents.

When Friestad succumbed to cancer in 2018, he was memorialized in a Wall Street Journal obituary that described the 23-year SEC veteran continuing his duties as associate director of the Division of Enforcement—from his deathbed.

“We all knew what Scott was going through, and he faced it with such grace and dignity and steadfastness,” recalled Iowa Law classmate Greg Bruch (85JD). The two young lawyers roomed together when they were summer associates in the 1980s.

“Scott really brought the best values of Iowa: how he treated his family and how he treated his oath of office.” – Greg Burch (85JD)

Friends of Friestad chose an Iowa Law scholarship for the native Iowan’s legacy and raised more than $100,000 to create the endowment. This remembrance perfectly fits Friestad’s character, Bruch noted: “Scott really brought the best values of Iowa: how he treated his family and how he treated his oath of office.” 

3L Charlie Doyle (20BBA), the inaugural recipient of the Friestad Scholarship and current third-year law student, had the opportunity to meet many of Friestad’s friends, along with his widow, Kimberly Sanders, on a recent call. 

“Hearing stories about Scott, I think he encompasses exactly what Iowa Law students are at their best: hardworking people with integrity. Great lawyers, great people who keep their Iowa roots and do great things all over the country,” Doyle said.

Doyle’s story echoes Friestad’s in many ways. Both grew up in large families in small Iowa cities—Friestad in Johnston, Doyle in Fort Dodge—and attended the University of Iowa for both their undergraduate business degrees and their law degrees. Both impressed those around them with their capacity for hard work.

Doyle came to Iowa Law, engaged fully and achieved top grades. Two summers ago, he worked for Nyemaster Goode in Des Moines, then worked last summer for Sullivan & Cromwell in New York City, where he will start as an associate in 2023 after graduating and passing the bar.

The scholarship will provide Doyle with $10,000 each year for his second and third year, covering about one-third of each year’s tuition.

“It’s such an honor to receive the award and learn about Scott’s legacy,” Doyle said. “He was always doing the right thing, and he truly loved the law.