Robert “Bobby” Silverstein is a nationally-recognized attorney with more than 45 years of public policy experience in the disability arena. For more than a decade, he served as staff director and chief counsel for the Senate Subcommittee on Disability Policy, chaired by Senator Tom Harkin. During his tenure on Capitol Hill, Bobby was a behind-the-scenes architect of more than 20 disability-related bills enacted into law, including the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act. Currently, Bobby is a principal in the law firm of Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville, PC. He is also a member of the State Exchange on Employment & Disability (SEED). In this capacity, he provides policy assistance to state policymakers, including preparing reports and policy briefs, drafting legislation, presenting testimony, and facilitating discussions among policymakers and other stakeholders. In 1971, Bobby earned his B.S. in Economics, cum laude, from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. In 1974, he received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. Mr. Silverstein is the recipient of numerous national awards, including the Distinguished Service Award from the President of the United States.