In Devoted Memory of

James Lenahan McHugh Jr.

June 28, 1937 - June 6, 2025

James Lenahan McHugh, Jr., 87, of Washington, D.C., passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025 at Potomac Grace Assisted Living in Potomac, Maryland. Jim was a distinguished attorney in the Washington area for over 50 years.

Jim was born June 28, 1937, in Pittsburgh, PA to Irish-American parents. He was the type of student who would claim he never missed a day of class. His high school years were spent at Central Catholic High School, where he developed his lifetime love of running. Jim earned an ROTC scholarship to Duquesne University, where he entered as an architecture major but acknowledged an ability to write and edit and quickly switched to English, favoring the classics and poetry. Deciding to pursue a law degree, off he went to Villanova Law School, graduating in 1961.

Jim joined the army and served in the Judge Advocate General Corp at the Pentagon during the Vietnam War.

The pinnacle of his young career was being chosen by the United States Supreme Court to clerk for the Honorable Justice Tom C. Clark, for the 1963 term. He considered the time spent at the Court to be one of his greatest accomplishments. He followed decisions from the Court, visited multiple times over the course of his career and kept in close touch with people he met there.

For his next step, Jim joined Steptoe and Johnson in Washington, DC. As a new associate, he recalled his boss stepping into his office and asking him, "Hey Jim, didn't you used to work at a radio station?" "Yes", McHugh replied, "I read the morning news feed for the Duquesne University radio station", a job his booming bass voice had earned him. "Good", said the boss, " Here's a job for you, President Johnson wants to establish something called the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Company. Go incorporate this thing." The Public Broadcasting System, known as PBS and home to Kermit the Frog, followed soon after, as did Jim making partner as the youngest ever to do so. He practiced Communications Law until he became managing partner of the firm in the 1980s.

Beginning in 1994, Jim concluded his law career as General Counsel for The American Psychological Association retiring in 2007.

His booming bass voice served him well when Jim joined the choir at Little Flower Church, then moved on to being a member of the Choral Arts Society of Washington for more than 26 years, touring the world and performing at the Kennedy Center. He absolutely loved being a part of this group and took his singing very seriously. In addition, he was a member of the Washington Men's Camerata, and the St. Columba Church Choir.

Jim was passionate about his running. At any time, you could see him running down River Road or Wisconsin Avenue or at the track at American University. He would rather run to work than use a car. Eventually, his running turned to walking and he could walk for hours through the streets of DC.

Family, friends and colleagues will always remember his incredible kindness, sense of humor, gentleness, his deep gratitude for all things, his love of sports, appreciation of good food and fine wine. He never met a stranger.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, of 33 years, Rosa Lamoreaux, daughter, Angela McHugh Stierhoff and husband Scott, daughter Hillary McHugh Clagett and husband Steve, as well as granddaughter, Emily Dalton Clagett.

Funeral Service will be held June 28, 2025, 11:00 am at St. Columba Episcopal Church, 4210 Albemarle Street, NW, Washington D.C.

Care entrusted to Thibadeau Mortuary Service, p.a.

124 E. Diamond Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-5009

(301) 495-4950, www.InterFaithFunerals.com