Rebecca Fisher-Gabbard joins School of Government faculty to work with municipal attorneys

The School of Government is excited to announce the addition of Rebecca L. Fisher-Gabbard to its faculty ranks. Fisher-Gabbard joined the School’s law and finance division in May 2024. As assistant professor of public law and government, she will advise and instruct municipal attorneys.

She joined the School after working in private practice in the area of education law and as a judicial law clerk for a judge at the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

Even prior to her experience working in the state’s education and court systems, Fisher-Gabbard had an interest in giving back to the state of North Carolina through public service. 

“From a young age, I developed a desire to serve others and improve the communities of which I am part,” she said. “I consider it an honor to learn from and provide guidance to the dedicated public servants of this state.” 

Drawing from her legal career, Fisher-Gabbard views the School as an invaluable resource for increasing trust between public officials and the communities they serve and looks forward to expanding on its mission. 

“I deeply appreciate, and have experienced first-hand, the practical, nonpartisan, and essential work of the School—first as a law student, then as a judicial clerk, and most recently as a practicing attorney,” Fisher-Gabbard said. “I am thrilled for the opportunity to contribute to its rich legacy of improving the lives of North Carolinians.”

In her role on the School faculty, Fisher-Gabbard hopes to embody the School’s core value of responsiveness—addressing and providing guidance on the challenges faced by local government officials and their communities.  

“I hope to serve as a trusted resource for local officials and citizens in their pursuit to strengthen and support municipalities throughout the state,” Gabbard said.

Fisher-Gabbard earned an undergraduate degree from Davidson College and her J.D. from UNC-Chapel Hill.