James Duggan, who founded the state’s appellate office for indigent defendants and expanded access to justice from the New Hampshire Supreme Court bench, died at 79.
He was born in Laconia and grew up in Mamaroneck, New York. Duggan graduated from Georgetown University in 1964 and served in the Peace Corps for two years before attending the Georgetown University Law Center.
He began working at the public defender’s office in Washington, D.C., in 1969, after graduating from Georgetown University’s law school. He was hired as a public defender in New Hampshire in 1974, just as the state was formalizing and funding the work of public defenders for people who couldn’t afford attorneys.
Obituary: What Is James Duggan’s Death Cause?
Duggan’s death has been confirmed by his family. According to his family, he died Saturday at his home in Amherst after a period of declining health.
As soon as Duggan passed away, Shaheen, a current senator from the United States, expressed her condolences.
He wrote on Twitter, “His dedication to the rule of law and the pursuit of justice for all was unwavering, and I was honored to appoint him to the state Supreme Court in 2001.” His distinguished legacy lives on in the courtroom and the public defender system in New Hampshire. “
Likewise, his colleagues remember Duggan for his organized mind, faith in the justice system, and willingness to roll up his sleeves and work to improve the system.
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Meet James Duggan’s Wife Helen Hartman: Where Is She?
His wife Helen Hartman, sons Brian and Brendan, and sister survive him. Kevin and Patrick, his sons, preceded him in death. There isn’t much information about James’ wife, but it appears that she was very supportive of his career.
The four-person family appeared to be having a happy life together. But now that James has died, the entire family must be devastated.
James’ wife and children are currently struggling to deal with the situation, but he will always be the heart of his family.
James Duggan’s Net Worth Before Death
The average salary for a chief public defender in the United States is $120,342 per year or $61.71 per hour. Entry-level salaries begin at $86,018 per year, with most experienced workers earning up to $158,500 per year. As a result, Duggan’s salary must fall within the range mentioned above.
He must have amassed a sizable fortune at the time of his death. He must have a million-dollar net worth.
Furthermore, he was not only the chief public defender but also taught criminal procedure and other courses to classes of 100 or more students, according to professor emeritus Mitchell Simon. According to Simon, he did not want to break down students as a professor, but he was demanding, honest, and fair.
According to former student Michael Skibbie, many students considered him a mentor because he used the same clear logic to assist students work through personal and professional issues. After a screening committee praised his “unusual combination of scholarliness and pragmatism” and ability to work “tirelessly, wisely, and courageously for the people of New Hampshire,” he was nominated for a seat on the state Supreme Court by then-Gov.
What Happened To New Hampshire’s Supreme Court Justice?
Nothing has happened to New Hampshire’s Supreme Court Justice.
As a chief appellate defender, Duggan argued hundreds of cases in front of the court, earning a reputation as a reliable advocate who worked hard and stuck to the facts. Michael Skibbe, a former student who later led the office in the 1990s, said Duggan instilled in the office a belief in “good lawyering” to respond to injustice.
The legal community in New Hampshire respected Duggan for his diligence and astute reasoning. Skibbe recalled overhearing someone say, “Jim Duggan will probably never be on the Supreme Court, but if there were any justice in the world, he would be.”