Attorney James M. McDonnell kept his speech brief — lasting a minute — as he accepted this year’s Advocati Christi Award during the 9th annual Red Mass for Lawyers on Oct. 6.
Although short, McDonnell’s heartfelt address was long on humility and gratitude for the many opportunities he’s been given to serve the local Church. He has a thriving legal career as a principal at Jackson Lewis, P.C.
The honoree also performs significant pro-bono legal work for his parish, Assumption in Morris-town, and the Paterson Diocese. McDonnell has served on the diocesan Educational Council. At Assumption, he is an usher at Mass and helped clean the pews after each Mass when the Church reopened during COVID-19.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney presented McDonnell with the award — a portrait of St. Thomas More, patron of legal professionals — at the Red Mass for Lawyers in the chapel of St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison. He received the honor for his commitment to the legal profession and the profession of his faith.
In his address, McDonnell said it’s his pleasure to give his time and talent to the Church. He praised those who serve the diocese, especially priests.
“You are all in my prayers in daily rosary. Thank you for this undeserved honor,” said McDonnell.
Advocati Christi, Latin for “Advocates of Christ,” sponsored the Mass. This fellowship of faithful Catholic lawyers and judges seeks to mentor other legal professionals.
Members of the legal profession, his family, and friends attended the Red Mass to honor McDonnell. They also prayed at the Mass that God would confer the Holy Spirit on them at the beginning of the judicial year.
“I want to congratulate Jim and thank him for his service to our diocese and the Church and his many years as a parishioner, husband, and father. We recognize him as a professional — an attorney who pursues truth, justice, and mercy in the law,” Bishop Sweeney said.
McDonnell and his wife, Joni, also have been involved with Assumption School, which their three children attended. They are Andrew, 20, a member of the Seton Hall Prep Class of ’22 and a junior at the University of Dayton; Kayleigh, 18, a freshman at Indiana University; and Luke, 15, a Seton Hall Prep sophomore.
Beth Braddock, Esq., vice president for employment incentives and pensions for Barclays who formerly worked with McDonnell, introduced him at the awards presentation.
“He makes time for everyone. He goes above and beyond for his family, coworkers, and friends. He is a man of faith and integrity,” Braddock said about McDonnell.
Father Paul Manning, the diocesan vicar for evangelization, celebrated the Mass. Bishop Sweeney arrived later after administering Confirmation at a Mass in Wayne.
In his homily, Father Manning urged legal experts to “approach the law, not with hard hearts, but tender hearts.”
“It can happen to us when we receive Holy Communion — the body and blood, divinity and humanity of Christ. That’s when we receive the tender heart of Christ,” Father Manning said.
