The HCLA is an association of legal professionals who strive to live according to the highest intellectual and ethical standards and to apply this commitment to excellence in service to others and in service of justice.
About
All Holy Cross graduates practicing law, serving as jurists, teaching law, in law school, or who are otherwise employed in a position involving the law are members of HCLA. Current Holy Cross students with an interest in the law are welcome to attend any meetings and various activities of the HCLA. All meetings of the HCLA are open to other members of the Holy Cross community. Current Holy Cross students with an interest in the law are welcome to attend any and all general meetings of the HCLA.
Stay Connected
- Sign up to receive notices about HCLA news and events
- Refer business to fellow alumni through the HCLA Listserv. Send an email to sign up for the HCLA Google Group (listserv)
- Search for fellow HCLA members in the Career Advisor Directory or the Alumni Online Community. Search 'Holy Cross Lawyers Association' under the 'Career Networks' category.
- Join the Holy Cross Lawyers Association LinkedIn group>>
- Volunteer to serve as a judge with the Holy Cross Trial Teams >>
- Hear stories of fellow HC lawyers who have been featured in the Alumni Podcast, Mission-Driven >>
HCLA Awards
Edward Bennett Williams '41 Lifetime Achievement Award
The award is presented by the HCLA to a Holy Cross alumnus/alumna or faculty member whose contributions to the legal profession for an extended period of time have been truly exemplary as recognized by peers and/or the general public. The awardee will have made a positive impact on the administration of justice and demonstrated loyalty to Holy Cross.
Past Award Winners:
2023: Hon. Francis J. Larkin '54
2021: Theodore “Ted” Wells Jr. ’72, Hon. ’18
2020: Kenneth F. X. Kunzman '58
2019: Hon. Edward F. Harrington '55
Nominations are Open until Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Submit a Nomination >>
Distinguished Service Award
The award is bestowed by the HCLA on an individual or group of Holy Cross graduates or faculty members to recognize their outstanding contribution to the legal profession for making a positive difference in the lives of others through the provision of legal services. The award seeks to acknowledge Holy Cross graduates who, through the practice of law, embody the Jesuit value of living as men and women for and with others by sharing their gifts generously, pursuing justice, and showing concern for the poor and marginalized. The award recipient will have made a significant impact for others and has demonstrated loyalty to Holy Cross.
Past Award Winners:
2023: Richard Giller '81
2021: Thomas O’Brien ’80 & Douglas Ovian ’82
2020: Claude J. Kelly '83
Nominations are Open until Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Submit a Nomination >>
Timeline:
- Nominations are collected in the spring and early summer
- Award recipients will be announced at Fall Homecoming
- Award will be bestowed at Winter Homecoming
HCLA Webinars
An Irish Immigrant in Reverse: In Conversation with Larry Donnelly '96
Speakers: Larry Donnelly '96, Law Lecturer at the University of Galway, Political Commentator, and author of The Bostonian: Life in an Irish American Political Family, and Patrick Sheehan '93, Partner, Whatley Kallas, LLP.
The HCLA invites you to join them for an interview with Larry Donnelly '96. Hear about his life growing up in a politically active family outside of Boston, his time at Holy Cross, and his experience practicing and teaching law in the U.S. and Ireland. Join us and hear a detailed analysis of the political state of play in Ireland and the U.S., and his thoughts on the future of the transatlantic relationship.
Recorded November 17, 2022
Archived Webinars
| Title | Air Date | Presenters |
|---|---|---|
| Holy Cross Lawyers Association Awards Ceremony | February 13, 2021 | Honoring: Kenneth F. X. Kunzman '58, recipient of the Edward Bennett Williams '41 Lifetime Achievement Award, and Claude J. Kelly III '83, inaugural recipient of the Distinguished Service Award |
| Perspectives on Practicing in the Age of COVID-19 | September 19, 2020 | Hon. Christopher Droney '76, Partner, Day Pitney LLP & John G. Loughnane '87, Partner, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP |
| Mediation Skills | June 3, 2020 | Kristen Sloan Maccini ‘82, Owner, K Sloan Maccini Law & Mediation, LLC, Edward F. McDermott, J.D. '79, Mediation Coach, College of the Holy Cross, John G. Loughnane ’87, Partner, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP |
| Make LinkedIn Work For You | May 20, 2020 | Allison Shields & Dennis Kennedy, Co-Authors of Make LinkedIn Work For You: A Practical Guide for Lawyers and Legal Professionals |
Background
The Holy Cross Lawyers Association (HCLA) is founded on the philosophical and educational traditions of the Jesuit liberal arts education provided to all graduates of Holy Cross. The HCLA comprises a unique community of attorneys who demand excellence in thought, character and deeds. The HCLA provides an intellectual and ethical forum to address challenges facing attorneys, provides a referral network in support of this community, fosters professional development, develops career opportunities for graduates of Holy Cross, and provides opportunities for continuing legal education. The HCLA is a non-profit and non-partisan association organized as an career affinity network within the Holy Cross Office of Alumni Relations.
Leadership
HCLA is governed by a board and various committees that work to carry out the mission of the organization. All HCLA members are welcome to and encouraged to participate in committee work; it is a great way to connect with fellow alumni and help advance the work of HCLA.
Chair
Board
Julia Amrhein '09- New York, NY
Christopher Burke '93- New York, NY
Kristin Burke '85- New York, NY
Brian Cafferty '87- Wakefield, MA
Thomas Claro '96- New York, NY
Patrick Comerford '93- Boston, MA
Alex Crispo '86- Short Hills, NJ
Stephen Dwyer '70- Metaire, LA
Michelle Gardner '98- Boston, MA
Jared Hasten '05- Chicago, IL
Andrea Marino Landry '02- Boston, MA
Brian Landy '75- New York, NY
Bryan LeBlanc '99- Quincy, MA
Nicole Colby Longton '00- Worcester, MA
John Loughnane '87- Boston, MA
Nicole Loughlin '06- Cambridge, MA
Robert Marasco '97- San Diego, CA
Joe Metzger '85- Tampa, FL
Kristen Gudewicz O'Neill '00- New York, NY
Olga Pina '85- Tampa, FL
Luciano Racco '04- New York, NY
Lawrence Rutkowski '75- New York, NY
Patrick Sheehan '93- Boston, MA
Christopher Sullivan '71- Boston, MA
Maribeth Walsh '83- New York, NY
Questions?
Contact Alumni Career & Professional Development at alumnicareers@holycross.edu or 508-793-2418.