LUCILLE KOZLOWSKI, the 29th woman admitted to the New Hampshire Bar, last month received the Nashua Bar Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Admired for her quiet dedication to the Nashua community, where she has lived all her life, Kozlowski is regarded as a true pioneer in the practice of law.

In 1943 during World War II, Kozlowski had to leave high school in her senior year because the entire business section, which included Lucille, was assigned to work in a war industry. That summer Lucille’s mother died; Attorney Leonard Velishka, who was handling her estate, wanted Lucille to come to work as his legal secretary and obtained a release from her employer so that she could do so.

"I went to work for Attorney Velishka while I was still a teenager," she said. "One of the first things he told me was that I was never to…discuss matters pertaining to clients or anything that went on at the office." Her very first assignment was to type a "Bastardy Petition" (today called a paternity suit). "I was shocked and asked myself why this man would use such language on my first day of work—but I couldn’t talk to anybody about it, though, because Lenny said I couldn’t discuss anything that went on at the office!"

After eight years as a legal secretary, Koslowski decided to go to college—and to become a lawyer herself. Because of her time in Velishka’s office, she was given credit for pre-legal courses. She worked days and attended Northeastern University at night for three years. Then she enrolled at Boston College for four years, sharing her commute with Nashua attorney Arthur Gormley and former Senator Warren Rudman. Kozlowski was admitted to the Bar in 1958 and not long after, Attorney Velishka added her name to the office letterhead.

All during her college years and also after she became a practicing attorney, members of the Manchester and Nashua bar associations were supportive in every way. "I was secretary and treasurer of the Nashua Bar from 1958-78. I have always been a very proud member of ‘the best bar association in the state.’" She said.

In 1974, the firm hired Roger Gauthier as an associate; then in 1976, tragedy struck. Leonard Velishka and his wife Mary died in an auto accident. Kozlowski and Gauthier were partners until 1986, when Gauthier accepted a judgeship.

Practicing in Nashua to the present day, Kozlowski said her work has always been fulfilling and rewarding. "When I worked with Leonard, we took every kind of case—anything that came through the door. Now, of course, I’ve scaled back and mostly do estate and probate cases," said Koslowski."

Kris Durmer, president of the Nashua Bar, said in his presentation that the award was given "in recognition of her remarkable personal and professional achievements and to acknowledge her dedicated service to the bar, bench and public."

Kozlowski’s name will be added to a memorial plaque at the Hillsborough County Superior Court, South in Nashua. When asked to comment on the award, she said, "I was completely overwhelmed; my sincere thanks to the Nashua Bar Association for recognizing my life in the legal profession as an achievement which deserves such a magnificent award."

Home | About the Bar | For Members | For the Public | Legal Links | Publications | Online Store
Lawyer Referral Service | Law-Related Education | NHBA•CLE | NHBA Insurance Agency | NHMCLE
Search | Calendar

New Hampshire Bar Association
2 Pillsbury Street, Suite 300, Concord NH 03301
phone: (603) 224-6942 fax: (603) 224-2910
email: NHBAinfo@nhbar.org
© NH Bar Association Disclaimer