ForeverMissed
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Her Life
January 24, 2018



Cynthia G. Fischer peacefully passed away at her Chelsea home on January 17, 2018 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Cynthia lived her life with purpose and determination. She was highly respected and loved by family, friends, clients and peers.  All who crossed paths with Cynthia knew her to be an intelligent, gentle and caring person, who lived by her convictions.

Whether she was a lecturing an audience of Italian Architects in Milan, reading in the garden at her home in France or sitting with her beloved Grandchildren on Long Island, Cynthia was always teaching, caring and mentoring. She had boundless passion, charisma and wisdom. 

Cynthia and her husband, Lan Rice, traveled the world, laughing, loving and cherishing every moment together. Sending postcards to friends and family every step of the way. She always returned home with a unique article of clothing or jewelry from the trip.

Cynthia grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, the oldest of four children.  She attended Highland Park High School where she was Student Council President and was voted as “having done the most for her high school.”  Cynthia attended the University of Minnesota, majoring in Italian.  She continued at the U of M for Law School, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. 

Cynthia was a partner at Pavia & Harcourt for 25 years and then joined Schnader, Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP as a partner in 2005.  Cynthia was a leader in the International, Corporate, Emerging Companies and Higher Education practice groups, as well as, a mentor to many women in the firm.

Cynthia served as the general corporate counsel and business advisor to foreign-owned companies and individuals doing business in the United States. She had broad experience serving as counsel to clients ranging from manufacturers and distributors to international architecture and engineering firms, domestic and multinational design professional firms, family owned companies transitioning from one generation to the next, as well as non-profit charitable organizations in the arts, trade associations and private foundations. She was highly dedicated to her craft and became lifelong friends with many of her clients.

Cynthia was a leader in the International Bar Association and an officer on IBA’s International Sales Committee.

Cynthia was a passionate supporter of the arts, serving on the Executive Advisory Council of Buglisi Dance Theatre, as President of Career Transition for Dancers and a member of  the Advisory Council of the Dancers Resource Program at The Actors Fund.

In 2012, Cynthia was overjoyed to receive a Tony Award on behalf of Career Transitions for Dancers, an organization that impacted lives by providing opportunities for dancers upon retirement.

She lived an amazing and purposeful life and was well loved. Survived by her husband, Lan Rice, Mother Lois, Sisters Melissa (Greg), Leah (Michael) and Brother Rob and Step-Son’s Dan (Sara), Tim (Kerstin) and Step-Daughter Sara, five nieces and nephews, (Marlo, Rob, Chris, Francisco, Maya) and three granddaughters Sofia, Grace and Mattea.