Massachusetts Bar Association President Richard P. Campbell was
featured at an April 25 luncheon as part of the University of
Massachusetts Boston's "Someone to be Proud of" series. The event
featured a sit-down dinner at the UMass Club in Boston, during
which Campbell answered questions about his road to his current
success as a trial lawyer.
In his introduction, UMass Boston Chancellor J. Keith Motley
described Campbell as "a luminary in a highly competitive field."
Motley added, "We're so proud of his commitment to public
service."
Campbell shared -- with the intimate crowd of about 60 --
stories from his modest upbringing in Medford, attending UMass
Boston in its former Park Square location, the beginnings of his
law career, and his current roles as founder and chairman of
Campbell, Campbell, Edwards & Conroy PC and family patriarch
with three grown children and grandchildren.
Campbell was prompted by interviewer Glenn Mangurian, an area
businessman who organizes the luncheon series. Campbell described
himself as an "okay student" in high school and recounted the
tumultuous times of the late 1960s when he was seeking his
undergraduate degree. "College years back then were different,
especially in the city," said Campbell, who later served for a year
with the U.S. Army Reserves before attending Boston College Law
School.
He spoke of his first job as a lawyer in New Jersey as a young
husband with small children. He highlighted his most memorable
cases, shared what it was like to serve as a trustee of the
University of Massachusetts and offered his viewpoint on his role
as the president of the MBA.
"It is an enormous honor, a huge honor to represent lawyers in
the commonwealth. It's as good as it gets," he said, "except for
being a grandfather."
Following his speech, Campbell spoke to several UMass Boston
students in attendance, fielding questions related to their studies
and career paths.