Judge Chuck McGee

Retired, Second Judicial District Court, Member of the Thomas & Mack Legal Clinic Advisory Board at the Boyd School of Law

Tell me about your decision to serve on the Thomas & Mack Legal Clinic Advisory Board and what makes Boyd Law’s mission meaningful to you.

My decision to join this Board was fairly selfish--I wanted a voice from Northern Nevada on the issues that face the law school as a statewide institution. What has made it so meaningful for me is to nudge the administration and staff in the direction of a Kennedy-esque kind of zeal with these young lions and lionesses, to make the community a priority in their future law practice, and not just taking a Pro Bono assignment from time to time. Fortunately, that has resonated well with the entire Board and with our champion and mentor, Judge Lloyd George.

What was your first or most memorable job?

My most memorable job was teaching Buddhist children how to speak English, in Hue, Vietnam a year after the Tet offensive almost decimated the ancient city. Like the Phoenix, the children rise from the ashes to correct our mistakes, hopefully.

What is your favorite travel destination?

My favorite travel destination is the South Island, New Zealand, which looks pretty much as it did centuries ago.

Tell me about something you’ve read that has made a difference to you.

Out of hundreds of books, I think I would pick The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje for the suggestion that love can transcend war. On top as well is Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance that showed me that a true genius has gifts in both the left and right hemispheres of the brain.