In Memoriam: Thomas “Tom” McNamara

Tom McNamara of Raleigh died on July 23, 2023.

McNamara received his bachelor’s degree from Duke University and his law degree from Wake Forest University. His 50 year career in law began after he passed the bar in 1965 at Maupin Taylor & Ellis in Raleigh. Following a seven year stint in the United States Attorney’s office in the Eastern District of North Carolina, McNamara entered private practice as a federal criminal defense attorney in 1976. He was appointed Federal Public Defender for the Eastern District of North Carolina in 2000 and held that post, considered his favorite part of his career, until his retirement in 2017.

He was a member of NCAJ from 1977 to 2017.