DLA Weblog

Edward F. Hennessey III '56 honored by Chief Justice

Ed Hennessey '56 practiced law in the Connecticut courts for over 40 years as a civil litigator. On May 25, 2003, Ed passed away as a result of cancer. In his final weeks, his continued courtesy and professionalism earned him the praise of his peers and the Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. At the June swearing-in of new attorneys, Chief Justice William Sullivan concluded his remarks by noting his 35-year long professional association with Ed, and holding out his last argument before the Court as an example of excellence and professionalism.
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The Court was hearing two cases and had invited several high schools to observe. Just a few days before his passing, Ed was having a bad day, but declined the Chief Justice's invitation to sit during his argument, wanting to do it properly. He used less than his alloted 30 minutes, and ceded his remaining time to his opposing counsel.

His determination, courtesy and professionalism during his final argument before the Court, said Chief Justice Sullivan, "taught all the young students from the high schools there the way lawyers are supposed to act in a courtroom. They are supposed to respect the law, they are supposed to respect the issues that they're arguing, and they are mostly supposed to respect their opponent." The Chief Justice held Ed out to the newly minted lawyers as an example of "an outstanding attorney and outstanding individual, a credit to his profession, a credit to the human race."

A 1956 graduate of Dartmouth College, Ed received his J.D. from Boston College in 1961 where he was a member of the Boston College Law Review. He served as Law Clerk to the Hon. M. Joseph Blumenfeld, U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut before joining Robinson and Cole in Hartford, where he was a Partner. Ed was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Cooper Fellow of the Connecticut Bar Association and Board Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

Ed was born in Charlotte, NC, raised in Worcester, MA and in 1962 settled in Wethersfield, CT, where he served as Mayor from 1973-1975. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Atty. Sheila (McCue) Hennessey, and four sons, two daughters-in-law and four grandchildren.

The news of his passing and honors came to us from his son, Edward (Ted) F. Hennessey IV, a graduate of Dartmouth (1984) and Cornell Law (1988) who presently practices law Charlotte, NC with Robinson, Bradshaw and Hinson and is a member of the DLA.

If you knew Ed, please share your thoughts of his life by adding a comment to this posting ... a text form for you to do so is located below. You may need to scroll down a little to see it.

DougSimpson '70
Wethersfield, CT