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Bar News - June 23, 2006 2006 NHBA Annual Meeting: Recognizing Honorary Members of the Bar
Philip M. Cronin Hon. (ret) Robert B. Dickson David C. Engel Gerald F. Giles Victor L. Hatem Jack B. Middleton Arthur W. Mudge Richard N. Peale Richard N. Pearson Honorable Robert B. Dickson Judge Dickson, who still sits as an Associate Superior Court and Supreme Court Justice when called upon (he retired from the bench in 1994 after 11 years of service), says that he became a lawyer because he “fell in love with the law.” He was born in Montclair, NJ, attended Yale University and obtained his law degree from Cornell Law School. During World War II, he flew fighter planes off carrier ships in the Pacific. Dickson began his legal career as an associate at Dewey, Ballantine, Bushby, Palmer & Wood in New York City. His father was his role model and inspiration. “He was a thoroughly honest guy,” says Judge Dickson. “He was a naval aviator; then he became an investment banker and a member of the NY Stock Exchange.” Judge Dickson joined the NH Bar in 1973 and headed up the law firm of Dickson Fauver & Cooper in North Conway for many years; he became involved in his community, too, serving as a town selectman. He says his colleagues and friends in the law have made his career memorable to him and his family has been very important to him, also. Dickson has five children—Sands, Charlie, Anne, John and Robert—and five grandchildren. Richard N. Peale Richard Peale became a lawyer because he believed, “For any phase of life, it is the best possible education.” At present, he is retired and recovering from knee surgery. Peale graduated from Northeastern University in 1940 and went immediately into the US Air Force, where he spent the next seven years. “I was stationed in England and France—and then we followed the lines across Germany and Austria.” After his military service, he went on to Boston University Law School from which he graduated in 1956. He became Purchasing Director for the State of New Hampshire right out of law school—and remained in that position for the next 32 years. “I had to have knowledge of the various state agencies and their legal requirements,” Peale said. During the years he held the position, which meant he had oversight of all purchases made by the state, the purchasing function grew from a financial responsibility of three million dollars a year to 30 million. “My background in law was very helpful,” he continued. Commenting on reaching this 50-year milestone, Peale said, “I am pleased as I look back at the accomplishments of my working life.” When asked about role models, he said that he admired Warren B. Rudman greatly. After Peale retired from his state position, he practiced law with the Johnson Law firm in Concord, devoting his time mostly to probate and property law until his retirement from the practice in 2000. Peale was married to the late Adelaide Innes Peale for 56 years. He and Adelaide were charter members of the Concord Chorale and spent many happy years singing with the group. He has two sons: James Innes Peale, who is clerk of the Sullivan County Superior Court, and Robert N. Peale, a geologist for the state of Maine. “I have four grandchildren—three grandsons and one granddaughter, who graduated from Colby College in Waterville, Maine this May. “She is the light of my life,” said Peale. Victor L. Hatem “I can’t believe that it has truly been 50 years. I would like to keep going, if I am able,” said Victor Hatem, in response to the Bar News request for reflections on his status as an honorary member of the Bar. Hatem is still practicing at the law office of Hatem & Mahoney in North Andover, Mass. Born and raised in Methuen, Mass., and educated in the local parochial schools; he attended Central Catholic High School, from which he graduated in 1946. He then attended Boston College, graduating in 1950 and obtaining his law degree from Boston College Law School in 1956. Attending law school convinced him that being a lawyer would be a good life for him. From l95l-l954 Hatem served in the U.S. Navy as a line officer, holding the rank of lieutenant in the Western Pacific and Korean theatres. He also lectured on military justice at the Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. While still in private practice, Hatem was an Assistant Attorney General in Massachusetts. “The experience of four years with the Mass. Attorney General’s Office gave me the opportunity to visit many courts, venues and to meet attorneys not usually met in the private side of my practice,” said Hatem. His role models were several classmates who were exceptional attorneys or judges. Foremost among his numerous community service activities is his involvement with a nonprofit nursing home for the past 25 years, serving its board as vice-president, president and chair. He has been married to Grace Hatem since 1958 and has five sons (two of whom are NH Attorneys; a daughter-in-law is also a NH Attorney); and there are 11 grandchildren (six girls and five boys) “I am working towards my final retirement in October 2006 so I can have more time for my wife and family—and for golf, skiing and tennis.” |
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