Paying it Forward

▲ From left to right: Judges Michael

McAuliffe, John Maloney, Carlos Acosta,

James Bonifant and Victor Del Pino. “Good Counsel taught me empathy and compassion for other people. Homeroom at Good Counsel is called ‘Community.’ It’s literally getting to know others and being part of a community. I’ve taken that with me throughout college, law and now as a judge.” — Judge Victor Del Pino ’94

Judge James Bonifant ’74, also a circuit court judge, says he is grateful for the feeling of community he gets from serving with other GC alumni on the bench. “Judge Maloney and I became good friends over a difficult case we were both involved in. We rely on each other,” he says. “I maintain a lot of good friendships from the school,” he adds.

Judge Michael McAuliffe ’79, who was a trial lawyer for 30 years before seeking a seat on the bench in 2019, agrees. “Good Counsel provided a foundation that I use every day, both in my faith and in my work,” he says, crediting much of that to his mentors the late Tom Kolar, social studies teacher and assistant football coach; former Good Counsel President Art Raimo and John McCarthy, who taught economics and coached sports at GC, and is the Montgomery County state’s attorney today.

“I’m very active with St. Jude’s Church in Aspen Hill and I see a lot of Good Counsel kids volunteering there. It makes me proud,” McAuliffe adds. “I think Good Counsel had an absolutely tremendous impact on me in all the best possible ways.”

GC seems to have a knack for producing alumni with a passion for the law. Andy Battista ’78, another alumnus who is a Maryland judge, sits on the circuit court in Baltimore County.