IN MEMORIAM
Stephen Del Giudice Instructor of Clinical Law April 26, 1951–December 17, 2015
S
tephen Joseph Del Giudice, a former professor in the Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics and a Washington-area attorney and civic leader, passed away December 17, 2015, after a yearlong battle with acute myeloid leukemia. He died at home surrounded by family. Professor Del Giudice was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1974. After receiving a graduate degree in history from the University of Toledo, he came to Washington, D.C., to attend Antioch School of Law. He remained in the Washington area for the rest of his life. His career in law and government was diverse, and he made an impact in several different jurisdictions and for countless people. Professor Del Giudice’s first job out of law school was representing juvenile defendants in D.C. Superior Court. Professor Emeritus of Law Eric Sirulnik, who was then directing the clinical program, met Del Giudice in Superior Court in the early 1980s and invited him to direct and teach in the Clinics’ Advocates for Older People (AOP) program. Professor Sirulnik and clinic administrator Norma Lamont had just obtained a grant to expand the AOP
Professor Steve Del Giudice (right) with a clinic student.
program. Professor Del Giudice accepted Professor Sirulnik’s invitation and taught in the AOP program for nearly 10 years. In addition to directing the AOP, Professor Del Giudice also created and taught in the federal and appellate litigation program, which exists today as the Criminal Appeals and Post-Conviction Services Clinic. “Steve brought his many legal skills and enthusiasm for the law—he was fond of pointing out Del Giudice meant “of the law”—to the teaching, mentoring, and supervising of the many clinic students lucky enough to have him,” said Professor Sirulnik. Professor Del Giudice’s enthusiasm for the law and his dedication to his students, clients, and colleagues was apparent. “Steve was a positive beacon in my law school experience,” said former clinic student Glenn K. Garnes, JD ’86, currently President of the Local Marketing Alliance. “His passion was evident in everything he did, and it inspired me to pursue my endeavors in a similar fashion. I will never forget his inspiration as a professor, but it was his humanity and friendship that will always stand out most for me.” In 1985, Professor Del Giudice became Mayor Del Giudice, defeating a longtime incumbent by eight votes to become Mayor of Takoma Park, Maryland, a parttime position. He continued to teach at the law school while he served as Mayor. In 1990, he left teaching after he won a close election to the Prince George’s County Council as a write-in candidate. In that position, he is widely credited with creating the coalition that unified Takoma Park—previously split between two counties—as a jurisdiction located exclusively in Montgomery County. Professor Del Giudice also was active in the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments and the Transportation Planning Board. In 1998, he left public office, working as an environmental policy consultant. He returned to the public sector again in 2007 to work as Transit Bureau Chief for Arlington County, Virginia, where his accomplishments included promoting and expanding the county’s local transit programs.
Steve Del Giudice with his wife, Sheila Driscoll
He rejoined the GW Law family in 2008 when he married Sheila Driscoll, Director of Judicial Clerkships. “We met on an airplane flight, and we bonded over our shared ties to the law school,” Ms. Driscoll recounts. “He loved sharing with me and others his clinic ‘war stories,’ such as representing a homeless man who had been banned from the Library of Congress for being too loud. Steve learned that his client was simply hard of hearing and helped him obtain a hearing aid, restoring his client’s right to enjoy the public library once again.” Throughout all of his jobs was the constant of serving others. Professor Sirulnik remembers that among Professor Del Giudice’s “many great qualities” were “his almost constant smile, his contagious laugh, and his passion for serving the poor.” Professor Sirulnik reports that he last saw Professor Del Giudice “at a GW Law class reunion three years ago and the same smile, laughter, and passion for the clinics were all clearly evident.” Professor Del Giudice is survived by his wife Sheila Driscoll; his children Cara Lingle and Nicolas Del Giudice; his son-in-law Bryan Lingle; his grandchildren Colton and Grayson Lingle; and his brothers Peter, Dante, and Michael. His brother Joseph passed away shortly afterward. Professor Del Giudice enjoyed a magical year with his loved ones even as he bravely fought his cancer with every option he was given. His family and friends say they will honor his life by continuing to aspire to his ideals and cheering on his Washington Nationals. n
JACOB BURNS COMMUNITY LEGAL CLINICS 3