Legal Titan Thomas R. Curtin Honored for Lifetime of Professionalism

ALEXANDRIA, VA – April 29, 2026 – In a career spanning nearly six decades, Thomas R. Curtin has not only practiced law but has actively shaped its character, championed its highest ideals, and mentored generations of attorneys. In recognition of this enduring legacy, the American Inns of Court has announced that Curtin will receive the prestigious 2026 Professionalism Award for the Third Circuit.

The award, which will be presented at a special ceremony in Hershey, Pennsylvania, this May, celebrates a legal professional whose life and practice display exceptional integrity and dedication. For Curtin, a partner at McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter LLP in Morristown, New Jersey, the honor is a capstone on a career built on a foundation of unwavering ethical conduct.

His nomination, put forth by Chief Judge Michael Chargares of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, speaks volumes about the esteem in which he is held. “He is a ‘dean’ of the bar, earning that reputation over an illustrious 57-year career as an attorney,” wrote Judge Chargares. “Tom is a highly skilled litigator and trial attorney who exemplifies all that is right about attorneys.”

A Career Defined by Excellence

Curtin’s journey in the law began after earning his degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1968. Over the subsequent 57 years, he cultivated a reputation as a formidable and principled litigator. He joined McElroy Deutsch in 2018, where he continues to practice civil and commercial litigation. Before that, he was a foundational figure at Graham Curtin PA, a firm he helped establish in 1987 and where he spent a significant portion of his career.

His expertise has been consistently recognized by his peers. Best Lawyers has repeatedly named him “Lawyer of the Year” in the Newark area for high-stakes disciplines like Bet-the-Company Litigation and Litigation - Antitrust. Furthermore, his inclusion in the Super Lawyers list every year from 2006 to 2024 underscores a level of peer respect reserved for the top tier of the profession.

In 2019, his profound impact on the federal bar was cemented when he received the inaugural Simandle Award from The Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey, an honor given for exceptional service to the bench and bar of the New Jersey federal court. This service is not passive; Curtin has actively chaired the Lawyers Advisory Committee of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey since 2009, a role that places him at the nexus of communication between practitioners and the judiciary.

Building the Profession from Within

Perhaps more than his courtroom victories, Curtin’s legacy is defined by his tireless work to strengthen the legal profession itself. He has consistently taken on leadership roles in nearly every major bar association touching his practice, viewing service as an integral part of being a lawyer.

At the national level, he served as a member of the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates for a quarter-century and represented New Jersey and Pennsylvania on the ABA’s Board of Governors. At the state level, his influence is even more pronounced. He served as president of both the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) and the New Jersey State Bar Foundation.

Recognizing that a strong profession requires high standards, he chaired the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law, working to institutionalize the very principles for which he is now being honored. His foresight and compassion also led him to help found the New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program (NJLAP), an organization created to support lawyers struggling with substance use and mental health issues—a problem that has become increasingly critical in the high-stress legal field.

His leadership extends to the local level, where he served as president of the Morris County Bar Association, and to the appellate level, where he was a founding member of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals Bar Association.

Upholding Ideals in a Changing World

The American Inns of Court award comes at a time when the legal profession is navigating significant challenges. The pressures of commercialization, the ethical quandaries posed by artificial intelligence, and a pervasive mental health crisis are straining the traditional pillars of the profession. In this context, celebrating a career like Curtin’s serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring importance of professionalism, civility, and mentorship.

The American Inns of Court itself was founded to advance the rule of law by fostering this kind of excellence. With nearly 30,000 members across the country, the organization works to bridge the gap between the bar's most experienced members and those just beginning their careers. Honorees are not just recognized for past achievements but are held up as living examples of the profession's highest aspirations.

Curtin’s career embodies this mission. He has served as a formal and informal mentor to countless attorneys, guiding them through the complexities of practice while instilling a strong ethical compass. His decades of service on judicial advisory committees and ethics committees demonstrate a commitment not just to his own clients, but to the fair and effective administration of justice for all.

A Legacy of Service Beyond the Courtroom

Curtin’s dedication to service extends far beyond the legal community. He has channeled his energy into numerous philanthropic causes, demonstrating a deep-seated commitment to the well-being of his community. He is a board member and past president of Autism New Jersey, an organization with a personal resonance for him, as it works to support individuals and families affected by autism, including his own.

He also serves as a volunteer and trustee for the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, tackling issues of food insecurity in his home state. This ethos of giving back is woven into the fabric of his life, reflecting the same principles of duty and care that have defined his professional career.

As Thomas R. Curtin prepares to accept the Professionalism Award, the honor recognizes more than a successful lawyer. It celebrates a builder, a mentor, and a steward of the law whose 57-year career serves as a masterclass in what it means to be a true professional.