“Jack” McCarthy’s tenure with the Firm began more than 60 years ago on August 1, 1963 when he became a member of White, Koch, Kelly & McCarthy (formerly Gilbert, White & Gilbert), which merged into Cuddy & McCarthy in 2009. That fact, the length of his practice in the same Firm and in the same community for such a long span of time, speaks to Jack’s dedication to his profession and his commitment to the many other lawyers and staff he has worked with in the Firm over those decades. Jack is a home grown New Mexican, born in Santa Fe, raised in Taos and a graduate of UNM Law School. Upon gaining his law degree, Jack immediately embarked on three years of service in the US ARMY, JAG CORP, with tours of duty in Seoul, Korea and at White Sands Missile Range. He received the Army Commendation medal at both of those duty stations and achieved the rank of captain upon being honorably discharged.

On returning to New Mexico, Jack put his life-long knowledge of the State to use in his legal practice, which has focused on the land and its people, in the areas of real estate, commercial and residential transactions, and wills, trust and probate. Jack has used his extensive knowledge of the history of land titles throughout the State to serve clients large and small, from all the cultures that come together in New Mexico. Although Jack is no longer actively representing clients, he remains a mentor and role model to the lawyers and staff who continue to practice under his name. The Firm regularly receives calls from clients who Jack represented in the past, often over decades ago; they trusted him and want to receive the same fair, efficient and effective legal services as he provided them back then. Jack’s door was always open for questions, advice or just plain conversation.

But Jack didn’t just limit the time and energy he has spent in his legal practice to the Firm and his clients; he devoted countless hours serving as officer and member on every bar committee and bar association he could find. The list is over twenty such committees and associations and ranges from President of the State Bar  [1981-1982] to New Mexico State Delegate to American Bar Association [1986-1999], including election to the Board of Governors of the ABA representing the States of New Mexico, Kansas, Iowa and Arkansas [1996‑1999] and service on the Executive Committee [1998‑1999]. Jack is a firm believer in giving back and the obligation of lawyers to improve their profession by serving in legal organizations.

Somehow Jack has also found time outside his professional activities to serve on Boards for the various community organizations he supports. This has been another key part of his mentorship of other lawyers in the Firm, emphasizing not just the importance of working to further the legal profession, but the need to contribute to other aspects of the community. For Jack, being a lawyer is more than making a living; it is also about being a meaningful part of the community.