Mobsters and Other Legal Tales
Judith Richards Hope was one of 15 women to graduate in her class of 513 from Harvard Law, then went on to work atWilliams & Connolly and found the DC office of Paul Hastings (with stops in the Ford and Reagan administrations). Fresh out of law school in the '60s, she represented a colorful cast of characters.
Judith wrote a book about her experiences,Pinstripes and Pearls:The Women of the Harvard Law Class of '64 Who Forged an Old Girl Network and Paved the Way for Future Generations, and shared stories this week at aHarvard Law alumni reunion. She was the 12th lawyer at Williams & Connolly, joiningout of law school. Working with Edward Bennett Williams, she helped him defenda wide variety of clients, including mobsters-- one of them beingChicago Mafia boss Sam Giancana. We can't spill all of the details, but keep an eye out for another book she's now penning.
Ifrah Law hosted the event. Judithis flanked by founder Jeff Ifrah and Michelle Cohen, both of whom she mentored at Paul Hastings, where she was its first woman partner. Michelle's in the running for DC Bar secretary. They're bookended by Ifrah Law associateCasselle Smith, a recent HLS grad, and HLS Association in DC presidentGlenn Ivey.
US Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces Judge Scott Stucky, DOJ assistant section chief Tom Lorenzen, and Veterans Affairs GC Will Gunn. Tomalso had some interesting stories about his days as a young attorney (though none involved the Mafia), including being notified three hours prior that he was flying out to Qatar for a week of oil and gas negotiations as an associate.
Other HLS folks: Alan Schlaifer,Virginia White-Mahaffey, Martha Vestal Clarke, Timothy McTaggart, and Peter Mumma. Just off to the left is Ifrah's famed conference room table (picturedhere), which has its logo made of poker chips; the firm represents online gaming clients, including the largest online poker room,PokerStars.Now that online gaming legislation hasbeen enacted by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the company's considering a brick-and-mortar casino there. Alan tells us he's not much of a gambler himself, but with clients in the resort industry, he often visits Vegas.
