GEN E R ATIONS
Alumnus Profile - Thomas J.P. McHenry ’69
Thomas J.P. McHenry ’69 assumed the position of President
and Dean of Vermont Law School in July 2017. Dean
McHenry’s background is in environmental law. He received
his J.D. from New York University Law School in 1983,
a master’s degree from the Yale School of Forestry and
Environmental Studies in 1980, and a bachelor’s degree in
history from Yale College in 1977. He previously taught as an
adjunct professor at Claremont McKenna College and was a
partner in the environmental practice of the global law firm
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in their Los Angeles office.
What drew you to the field of environmental law?
I always enjoyed the out-of-doors, even growing up at 72nd
and Lexington Avenue. Family canoe and camping trips and
high school hiking and skiing adventures in the Green and
White Mountains whetted my appetite for outdoor activity.
It was a natural next step to consider environmental law as
a career, which occurred to me in the spring of 1978 while
fishing in Little Moose Lake in the Adirondacks. This led
me to the Yale Forestry program and NYU Law School,
Taiwan’s National Park Department, consulting for the U.N.
on forestry, wildlife and national parks legislation in Africa,
the Caribbean and Asia, and private environmental law
practice in southern California.
Which cases or projects did you find most gratifying
and why?
The most gratifying projects were the ones that resulted in
a positive impact through the resolution of a dispute or the
permitting and successful construction of a project. This
led me away from litigation and toward corporate deals and
administrative matters that could be resolved swiftly.
What was your most challenging case?
I had many over the years, but the most challenging one
involved a well-heeled party on the other side who was
aggrieved at my client’s conduct, and had endless time and
money to spend on the matter and no fiscal responsibility.
Most business clients can reduce a case to dollars, and then
settle it.
What are the greatest issues in the environmental law
field today?
Climate, and everything related to climate—water resources,
drought, fire, dislocation, agricultural impacts, etc.
What attracted you to the position of President of Vermont
Law School?
What excited me most about coming to Vermont Law School
was the opportunity to participate in the training of the next
generation of environmental law and policy students. I first
learned about this position in November of last year, and not a
day has gone by since that I have not thought with excitement
and anticipation about the job. I have greatly enjoyed 30
years of law partnership with numerous interesting clients,
large and small, a substantial pro bono practice and regular
teaching responsibilities, including during Summer Session at
VLS. However, I wanted to totally devote my energies to new
tasks, and I wanted to be fully occupied.
What is your vision for VLS?
The Vermont Law School of the future is committed to the
best possible legal education for all students, and dedicated
to the promotion of environmental quality and social justice.
VLS will continue to lead in environmental law and policy,
offering the nation’s top-ranked program. We will expand our
current programs—nationally, internationally, and online—
and grow new ones in critical areas such as justice reform.
What do you recall most about your time at Saint David’s?
Great teachers—Messrs. Napoli, Moore and Ludlow,
and Mme. Villard. Also “running the res,” yoga with Mr.
McGoldrick, listening to the “Sgt. Pepper’s” and “Bridge
Over Troubled Water” albums and realizing, thanks to great
teachers, that popular music had something to say about
what was going on in the world. Religion class was not my
favorite but I must have absorbed a strong dose of muscular
Christianity, because I now try to impose it on my family and
friends, and I think I am better for it.
This year’s theme, “All That We Can Be” speaks to our
boys reaching their potential. Is there a way that Saint
David’s helped you in recognizing and working toward
your potential? If so, how?
Schools should assist their students in finding and utilizing
their genetic potential, whether intellectual, emotional or
athletic. Great schools like Saint David’s taught me that
learning can be fun and engaging, and I have kept that
through my life.
What does the school’s motto “That they be good men”
mean to you?
I was told that the Greek definition of happiness is the “fullest
use of one’s faculties.” That would mean being a “good man.”
Winter 2018 • 81