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Hudson to UR law grads: Work on personal ties most

Henry E. Hudson, judge of the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Virginia, told 162 graduates of the University of Richmond School of Law that building relationships with the people you love is the most important thing in life – everything else is secondary.

He said the full realization of what counts in life might come late, but graduates should chart their personal goals and keep on track. “Achieve incremental progress,” he said.

He advised graduates to set priorities in life, not to sacrifice quality time with their families and develop a network of professional friends. “Who you know can be one of your greatest assets,” he said.

Develop reputations for honesty, civility and integrity, he said. “Attack ideas, not fellow lawyers,” he cautioned. As lawyers, they should make sure their legal arguments are intellectually honest.

Clinton Davis of Chester spoke on behalf of the graduating students. He praised the families who sacrificed to help each student reach this day. “Today can be seen as a family achievement,” he said.

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