Nicholas W. Chandler

Nicholas W. Chandler, 31
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Nicholas W. Chandler, 31, died unexpectedly on Feb. 23, 2014, in Sacramento, Calif.
He was born on July 16, 1982, the eldest son of Kenn Chandler and Laura M. Hiestand. From his earliest days, it was obvious he was born with an intellect and curiosity that would lead him on an amazing journey throughout his short life.
He started school in Southwest Harbor, but entered Fay School in Southborough, Mass., for eighth and ninth grades, then graduated from high school at Philips Exeter Academy. He was immensely proud of his alma maters and experience at both schools and has always stayed in contact with fellow alumni. After high school, he enrolled in Colby College and collected many new friends. After one year he transferred to Hampshire College as he sought a more worldly experience. While at Hampshire, he spent eight months in Berlin, Germany studying at Humboldt Universitat. While living in Berlin, he resided in an apartment off campus and learned to speak German fluently, and also interned for a short time at Siemens. He graduated with a BA in History, focusing on Contemporary Europe and America.
He began law school at Tulane University and while there attended International Summer School at Unversitat Leiden in Amsterdam and also the Institut fur Anwaltsrecht at Humboldt Universitat in Berlin. After one year at Tulane and having been displaced by Hurricane Katrina, he moved to Washington, D.C. and earned his Juris Doctorate at American University's Washington College of Law, graduating Magna Cum Laude with concentrations in Public Interest Law and Criminal Procedure and Practice. While there he was the founding member of the WCL Poverty Law Society. He also interned at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency researching and writing on federal jurisdiction over waters, with a focus on the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program, and still found time to volunteer with Compassion over Killing, an animal rights law organization.
He then moved to New York City to begin his career and worked for the Brooklyn Volunteer Lawyers Project supervising students and providing legal advice during weekly debt management clinics. He was the recipient of the 2008 Christopher Slattery Young Professional Award for outstanding legal work. He also was a member of the Pro Bono and Young Lawyers Committees of the Brooklyn Bar Association.
Not finding a paying job during the great recession, he enrolled at the London School of Economics and earned an LLM in Banking Law and Financial Regulation, with his dissertation focus on Dodd Frank legislation and the
Nicholas W.
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cause of the economic crisis.
After he returned to the U.S., he worked at Aguiar Law Office, owned by a classmate from Tulane University, in Louisville, Ky., as a civil litigator. He most recently was working at Morgan Stanley in Sacramento, Calif., as a Wealth Advisor Associate though he maintained his New York Law license and hoped to someday move back to the east coast. He had just visited New York City several weeks ago for business, and spent time with his mother and friends in the city, which made him all the more homesick for his friends and family.
He will be so very sadly missed by his mother, Laura M. Hiestand of Bath, father, Kenn Chandler of Mount Desert; and his two brothers, Benjamin and Samuel Chandler, both of Portland. He is also survived by his father's partner, Jean Fosillo; Laura's partner, Mark Akeley, and his four children. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Harry and Nancy Hiestand of Villanova, Pa., and Southwest Harbor, and his paternal grandparents, John and Barbara Chandler of Bethesda, Md., and Southwest Harbor. He was also predeceased by his uncle, George V. Strong of Haverford, Pa.; and Godfather, Crozer Fox formerly of Southwest Harbor. He left behind aunts Ann Strong and Jennifer Higgins and husband David, all of Pennsylvania, Martha Miller and her husband George of Oregon, and Janet Chandler of Ohio, and uncles, Harry Hiestand and his wife Terri of Michigan, Philip Hiestand of Pennsylvania, and Richa Chandler and partner Judy of Michigan. He is survived by great- aunts, Sally Parker Chittenden of Media, Pa., Evelyn Scott of Greenville, Del., and Northeast Harbor, and great- uncle, Philip Price and his wife Sarah of Philadelphia, Pa., and Vinalhaven. In addition, he had numerous cousins and extended family with whom he always maintained close contact. He is also survived by his Godmother, Rose Iuro-Damon of Northeast Harbor; Goddaughter, Lexi Elizabeth Fehr of Australia; countless friends from around the world; and his cat, Assassin.
Nick was a direct descendent of Civil War General George Meade and education reformist Horace Mann.
Nick was an amazing, intelligent, funny, eccentric, thoughtful, generous, caring son, brother, and friend.
The family will receive friends and family on Saturday, March 8, 2014, at 967 Middle St., in Bath, from 12-4 p.m. There will be a celebration of his life and burial on Mount Desert Island this summer; with the date yet to be determined. In this world of social media, much can be learned about his life from the many postings on Facebook.
He was a lover of animals, and if you would like to make a donation in his memory, please donate to the animal shelter of your choice.