Lawrence Rutkowski Esq. ’75 is spearheading an effort to organize all the Holy Cross students who have gone on to become lawyers in an affinity group known as the Holy Cross Lawyers Association (HCLA). An independent organization within the General Alumni Association, the HCLA would provide a means through which Holy Cross alumni who are members of the bar could develop and maintain personally and professionally rewarding contacts and further their own professional development.

Topping the fledging organization’s “to do” list is compiling and publishing a directory of all Holy Cross lawyers. The directory would contain an individual’s biographical and professional data, including members’ principal practice areas, organized geographically and indexed alphabetically and by graduation year. Rutkowski believes that such a directory could provide an excellent source for referrals.

“Lawyers—even those in the largest firms—have the need to refer business to lawyers in different geographical locations or in specialized practice areas from time to time,” Rutkowski says. “Who better to refer it to than someone with whom you share certain common experiences and background? We hope to accomplish much more, though, than producing a directory. While important and potentially of immediate use, we do not wish the directory to be our defining achievement.”

Once the HCLA is up and running, its organizers have some ambitious goals: regular meetings as well as opportunities for continuing legal education. In addition, Rutkowski would like to publish a newsletter and develop a Web site that would be linked to the main GAA site. “We hope we can offer a different perspective on the job of lawyering,” he says. “Our Jesuit-influenced liberal arts education was the springboard for various law school experiences. This makes us quite a unique group.”

To get the HCLA off the ground, it’s going to take a few good men and women who are willing to volunteer their time and expertise to lay the groundwork for a successful organization. Rutkowski is currently attempting to gauge the level of interest among alums for such a group. Although the GAA is willing to assist the HCLA, it will be an independent body run by—and for the benefit of—its members.

“I think we hit on something with this idea,” Rutkowski adds. “Our initial approach to potential members generated a very enthusiastic response. Holy Cross grads are a gregarious and sociable lot, and the HCLA will offer the opportunity to grads who are lawyers to participate in a group with a character quite different from the usual bar association."

For more information concerning the HCLA, contact Larry Rutkowski at (212) 574-1206 or by e-mail at rutkowski@sewkis.com. The HCLA has established its own e-mail address, HCLA2003@hotmail.com.

Maureeen Moran is a freelance writer from Mansfield, Mass.