The Lawyers Guild of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland serves the counties of Ashland, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Summit and Wayne.
The Guild fosters spiritual growth and fellowship within the legal community, encourages observance of high ethical standards, and calls attention to legal and societal issues that affect morality, justice and faith.
Members enjoy fellowship and networking within our eight-county legal community as well as events such as our Advent Mass, Lenten Reflection, Annual Meeting with complimentary Continuing Legal Education, Annual Red Mass and Luncheon.
To complete a membership form click here.
For information regarding membership or events, contact Kristen Craig at (216) 696-6525 Ext. 4440.
The Martin T. Galvin Memorial Scholarship Fund
Congratulations to Benjamin Thomas, a Sophomore at Padua Franciscan High School who was awarded the 2023 Martin T. Galvin Memorial Scholarship. Benjamin was selected from a number of applicants in recognition of his faith and community involvement at Padua.
Application Process for The Martin T. Galvin Memorial Scholarship
THE 2024 GALVIN SCHOLARSHIP PROCESS IS UNDERWAY. Please refer to the Guidelines to ensure you are eligible and are completing the Application correctly. If you have any questions regarding the Martin T. Galvin Memorial Scholarship, please contact Kristen L. Craig by email or call 216-696-6525 x4440.
The Martin T. Galvin Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship awarded to a student attending a Catholic high school within the Diocese of Cleveland, and who has a family member who is a member of the Catholic Lawyers Guild or an attorney practicing law in Northeast Ohio.
In 2018, The Lawyers Guild of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland established the Martin T. Galvin Memorial Scholarship Fund in conjunction with the Catholic Community Foundation. The Reminger Foundation granted $10,000 toward the creation of a scholarship fund in honor our their departed colleague and friend Martin T. Galvin.
Marty was a past president of the Lawyers’ Guild of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland and an active member of the Irish American Law Society of Cleveland. He joined Reminger in 2001, focusing his legal practice on appellate advocacy, professional liability, and business and employment litigation. He served as Co-Chair of Reminger’s Appellate Practice Group and received multiple honors throughout his career.
Although Marty had many impressive and significant accomplishments, the most important one to him was his family. On February 5, 2024, Marty's wife Tracy lost her battle with cancer leaving behind their two children, Fiona and Tommy.
The Red Mass
The Lawyers Guild celebrated the annual Red Mass and Luncheon on Friday, October 6, 2023. Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost celebrated the Mass.
The historic Red Mass originated in the Cathedral of Paris in 1245 to invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit on the judges of the ecclesiastical courts and traditionally coincides with the beginning of the U.S. Supreme Court’s fall session. The Red Mass is sponsored by the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Cleveland.
Nominations for the 2024 St. Thomas More Award are now being accepted. Click here to download the guidelines and form.
The St. Thomas More Award
The Lawyers Guild presented the 2023 St. Thomas More Award to The Honorable Brendan J. Sheehan, Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Judge Sheehan was recognized for his devotion to his Catholic faith, his commitment to his family and his ongoing efforts to provide justice throughout the legal system while promoting excellence in the legal profession. According to his peers, Judge Sheehan is deserving of the St. Thomas More Award by serving with integrity, not compromising his values and by putting God first, above all.
St. Thomas More (1478-1535) was an English statesman who served as Chancellor under the reign of Henry VIII. More opposed the King’s attempt to divorce his wife and refused to renounce the authority of the Pope. For that he was beheaded. In 1935, Sir Thomas More was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church and is considered the patron saint of lawyers. The St. Thomas More Award is named in honor of this Catholic statesman who served with integrity and held on to his values in spite of fierce resistance.
Special Recognition Award
The Lawyers Guild presented the 2023 Special Recognition Award to Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services for their work and commitment to refugees who have been evacuated from their country and help them and their families resettle throughout Northeast Ohio.