Jan. 29, 2004 – Former State Bar President Truman Q. McNulty passed away suddenly on Jan. 26. A member of Whyte Hitrschboeck Dudek S.C. law firm in Milwauke – his career apanned more than 50 years. McNulty is highly respected as a trial lawyer, for his expertise in professional ethics and active roles on the supreme court committee for drafting the SCR Rules of Professional Conduct, for his continuing commitment to the Wisconsin Law Foundation, and for his exceptional efforts in the legal profession. McNulty was 82.
McNulty devoted extensive time and effort to advancing and maintaining the integrity of the professional responsibilities, and his scope of commitment to the legal profession led to positions of leadership and involvement in a wide range of activities in the State Bar and American Bar associations, the Wisconsin Law Foundation, and in service to the public and to the state of Wisconsin.
"His passion and love of the law is evident in the way he lived his life," says long-time friend and colleague Charles C. Mulcahy, Milwaukee. "His commitment to this passion is borne out in his many contributions to the profession, the public, and the community."
"Truman was a model for what every lawyer should strive to be," said State Bar President George Burnett. "He was proud of his profession, dedicated to his clients, loved his family, and committed to his community."
"One of the giants of the legal profession," said George Steil Sr., Janesville. "Truman never forgot his humble beginnings and he strongly believed that it was a distinct privilege to practice law. He respected that privilege by giving much more back to the profession than he ever received. It was my privilege to work closely with him and have the opportunity to observe his sincere humility."
"A remarkable person," said Nathan Fishbach, Milwaukee. "He had clients for decades. He was their attorney, their trusted adviser, and most importantly, their friend. Truman was probably the hardest working lawyer I knew."
In May 2001, McNulty received the Charles L. Goldberg Award from the Wisconsin Law Foundation, which recognizes lifetime achievement of individuals in the legal profession with a record of service to the profession and to the public.
"Truman was an active and caring member of the Wisconsin Law Foundation for many years," said Wisconsin Law Foundation President Cheryl Furstace Daniels. "He believed in the mission of supporting law-related education and public service projects for the citizens of Wisconsin. We will miss his dedication to the cause."
"Truman and his wife Emily, have been friends of mine for many, many years," said Wisconsin Law Foundation Vice President Margadette Demet, Milwaukee. I have worked with him in many capacities with the Wisconsin Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Truman was a lifetime Fellow of the American Bar Association, and the Founder of the Wisconsin Bar Fellows. His tireless efforts for the Bar and many selfless contributions will be long remembered. He was devoted to his family and to the Milwaukee community. He will be dearly missed by those who knew him."
"Truman's desire to achieve professional excellence in the formation of the Fellows of the Wisconsin Law Foundation was inspiring," said Wisconsin Law Foundation Vice President John W. Stevens, Cedarburg. "Truman was proud to be an attorney and his contributions to the profession are a goal for those who follow him. He was a true friend and he will be missed."
McNulty, served as State Bar president in 1978 - 79, served three terms on the Board of Governors, and one year as an Executive Committee member. He began his leadership career in the State Bar in 1960 serving four years as Chair of the Post-Graduate Education Committee. This led to his being selected as President of the Institute of CLEW, which was formed by the State Bar, and the U.W. and Marquette law schools. McNulty, served two terms and as a consultant on the State Bar CLE Committee, initiating programs for continuing education in the State Bar. He played an active role in the passage of mandatory CLE by the Board of Governors and the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
McNulty was involved on a comparable level of activity in the American Bar Association. A member since 1956, he was appointed to the ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility and to the ABA Professional Discipline Committee. The ABA House of Delegates elected him to the American Bar Board of Governors. ABA President William Paul appointed him to the ABA Standing Committee on Continuing Education to the Bar.
"Whenever I attend out-of-state bar conferences, people always ask about Truman," said Fishbach. "He is legendary in the ABA."
A 1948 graduate of Marquette University Law School, McNulty was active in alumni activities He was elected President of the Wisconsin Law Alumni, subsequently was elected as President of the All University Alumni Association. He was also a member of the University's President's Council.
"I admired Truman very much," said Joseph D. Kearney, dean of Marquette University Law School. "Recently, I ran into Truman late in the evening at the Main Post Office in Milwaukee. We were both mailing letters, and it was after the last pickup even for the mailboxes inside the post office. We struck a deal: I gave him the extra stamp that he needed, and he showed me how one could go to the post office loading dock, even after hours, and persuade the workers there to get your letter in the mail going out that night. It was a small thing, and I am sure that many others learned considerably larger lessons from Truman, but it is now part of my repertoire."
McNulty's leadership role and concentration of service in the legal profession was carried over into service to the public in both the community and at the state government level. He was selected to serve as a member of the mayor's Advisory Council in Milwaukee, a city-wide entity constituting 53 civic organizations, and in 1956 was elected president.
Gov. Warren Knowles appointed McNulty to the State Board of Health and Social Services where he served for six years including two years as chair. This was a Citizens Board, and although it had major responsibilities, in policy and administration, members served without compensation. The board was responsible for the health, welfare and corrections agencies of the state government. Following his appointment, McNulty was approved unanimously by the State Senate and reappointed for two successive terms.
Concurrent with his leadership positions in the profession and to the public, he served in leadership positions for 28 years in the Army Active Reserve where he received several commendations and citations for his "outstanding leadership" as commander of military units; his "outstanding record as a lawyer in the area of military justice," and "outstanding performance of duty." He was promoted to the rank of Colonel and subsequently was appointed as a military judge by the Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Army.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and served in the China-Burma-India Theatre (CBI), 14th Air Force and retired as Colonel from U.S. Army Reserve after serving 28 years. In active reserve duty, U.S. Army 1946-1974 he was an appointed Military Judge, U.S. Army Commanding Officer, in JAG Military Units and Director and Instructor USAR School, receiving official recognition of service.
There will be a 21-gun salute recognizing McNulty's long and distinguished military service at Wisconsin Memorial Cemetery immediately following the Memorial Service on Saturday.
At the time of his death, McNulty was Past President of the Wisconsin Law Foundation Fellows (WLF) Board of Trustees, a member of the WLF Fellows and the Fellows Finance Committee, and a charter member of the Mayfair Rotary.
McNulty leaves his wife Emily; four children Mark, Mary Kay, Brian, and Erin; and four grandchildren.
