President’s Message

Board of Directors

 

 

 There are very few attorneys one would describe as humble, that is except for one of the very best trial lawyers in our state – Lawrence J. McGuire, who retired recently from CPCS.  Larry believes he is just doing his job; no more, no less.  We know otherwise.

 

Several years ago I had the honor of representing a Larry McGuire co-defendant; that is, someone who was charged in the same case as a client of Mr. McGuire’s.  I approached this honor warily because Larry McGuire co-defendants often faced the equivalent of double prosecution – first from the district attorney, but also from the potentially more dangerous threat presented by Mr. McGuire, who knew full well how to create reasonable doubt for his client by eliminating any doubt of a co-defendant’s guilt.  But such was not the lesson here.

 

When this case came up for its Motion to Suppress hearing, what I became most concerned with was not embarrassing myself in front of the great Lawrence J. McGuire.  So, I wrote out every question I could possibly think of, and disregarded the judge’s likely wrath and the prosecutor’s objections.  Since I was the least experienced lawyer, prior to the hearing I asked my co-counsel what our order of questioning should be.  They all responded in a single voice:  “Larry goes last”.

 

It seemed that everyone but me (the judges, the clerks,) in Essex County knew Larry went last.  Larry went last so he could make sure that every important question was asked prior to his cross examination.  On this case, by the time that not only myself, but two other lawyers, had cross examined the first witness, I smugly figured we were almost done.  Then I began to understand why Larry goes last.  After witnessing entire lines of questioning by Larry that I had failed to consider, I finally stopped berating myself and simply took in the artistry of watching this master at his craft.

            

On the occasion of his retirement, Lawrence J. McGuire will be presented with the Ronan Family Jurisprudence Award during the ECBA’s Annual Dinner Meeting on Thursday, May 27, 2010 at Spinelli’s in Lynnfield.  We have a special opportunity to acknowledge the contributions our brother Lawrence has made to the cause of justice, and I ask all of you to join me in this very special celebration.

Details of the dinner can be found on page 3.

 

Since this is my last President’s Message, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Essex County Bar Association members and board of directors for all of their support these past two years.  It has been a pleasurable, interesting and unique experience; one I will carry with me throughout my future endeavors.  I am confident that President-Elect Wendy Olinsky’s term will bring a new and exciting chapter to Essex County Bar Association history.

                                                   

I wish you all the best,

 

 Donald R. Bumiller

Donald R. Bumiller

President