Biography

1944 -

Early Life:
Dennis Michael “Mike” Fisher (R), born November 7, 1944, in Pittsburgh, son of the late C. Francis and Dolores Darby Fisher; South Hills Catholic High School, 1962, outstanding graduate award, 1977; Georgetown University (A.B.), 1966; Georgetown Law Center (J.D.), 1969; married Carol Hudak; 2 children.

Early Career:
U.S. Army Reserves, 1969-75; attorney; Allegheny County & Pennsylvania Bar Associations; American Arbitration Association; admitted to practice before all Pennsylvania & Federal courts; Elks; Knights of Columbus; American Legion; Ancient Order of Hibernians; Rotary; Bethel Park Chamber of Commerce; St. Louise de Marillac Church Parish Council, 1975-78; board member, Greater Pittsburgh Convention & Visitor’s Bureau; board of trustees, University of Pittsburgh; Assistant District Attorney, Allegheny County, 1970-74, delegate, Republican National Convention, 1988, 1992; member, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA); vice-chairman Port of Pittsburgh Commission, chairman, 1992-93; Environmental Quality Board, 1981-90; member, vice-chairman, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency; Governor’s Energy Council, 1981-86; Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, 1984-90.
 

Authored:
Report on Medical and Mental Health, Pennsylvania Correctional System, 1980; Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD) Prison & Jail Overcrowding, Senate Act 195 Task Force Reports, 1985. 
 

Awards:
Outstanding Young Man of American U.S. Jaycees, 1977, 1978, & 1979; 1980 Man of the Year, Upper Saint Clair Republican Club; Pittsburgh Man of the Year in Law & Government, Vectors, 1991. 

Pennsylvania Politics:
Pa. House of Representatives 1975-80; elected to Pa. Senate in 1980; chairman, Environmental Resources & Energy Committee, 1981-90; chairman, Republican Policy Committee, 1989-90; chairman, Republican Caucus; elected Majority Whip, 1991-93; elected Repub. Caucus Secretary 1993-94; elected Majority Whip 1994; left office November 30, 1996.
 

Continued Government Service:
Elected Pennsylvania Attorney General 1997-2003; appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals Third Circuit 2003-2017.
 

Pa. House of Representatives Biography

Federal Judiciary Biography

Cited: Pennsylvania Manual, Biographies of Members of the Senate, pg. 68; Volume 105, 1980-81.  Pennsylvania Manual, Biographies of Members of the Senate, pg. 3-14; Volume 112, December 1995.