Assistant Dean, Alumni Relations and
Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
St. John’s Law
“Twenty five years passes in the blink of an eye, when you love
what you do for the alumni you support," exclaims Claire McKeever
’93 Assistant Dean, Alumni Relations and Continuing Legal Education
(CLE) for St. John’s University, School of Law. Having worked
in Alumni Relations as a St. John’s University undergraduate
student, Ms. McKeever knew first hand that the Law School Faculty
were truly committed to scholarship and the success of the Law
School student body. Choosing St. John’s Law was an easy
decision when Ms. McKeever opted to continue onto Law School after
graduating from St. John’s University.
Dean McKeever fondly recalls her cousin, Cornelia Hamill Duffy ’80,
hooding her at graduation as her parents looked on with
pride. Upon passing the bar exam, the first congratulatory
phone call came from one of her professors – the Hon. James F.
Niehoff ’51 who taught Torts, Criminal Law and Civil
Procedure. Ironically Judge Niehoff was also responsible for
starting the Continuing Legal Education Program at St. John’s Law
and while a student, Claire assisted him.
In her role as Assistant Dean of Alumni Relations and Continuing
Legal Education, Ms. McKeever helps the 14,000 plus alumni who hail
from St. John’s Law stay engaged with alma mater. She
achieves this by providing the administrative infrastructure for
the Alumni Association and its many sub-chapters that have sprung
up around the nation. Ms. McKeever states with pride, “The
St. John’s Law alumni base and associated Chapters serve as a
wonderful resource to fellow graduates. Our Chapter
activities are well attended and provide our alumni/ae numerous
opportunities to serve the Law School and community, to network,
mentor or be mentored on a social and professional level.
With that said, Ms. McKeever makes it a point to stay abreast of
CLE requirements nationwide, as St. John’s Law graduates now reside
and practice in 48 of the 50 states throughout the nation (we need
alumni in Nebraska and Wyoming). Frequently, alumni/ae who
are relocating to another region will check with Ms. McKeever to
confirm the Continuing Legal Education requirements for their
pending move.
With many bar associations and firms offering their own in-house
CLE programs, Ms. McKeever continues to orchestrate engaging
educational programs at near capacity through the constant
monitoring of relevant cutting edge trends and topics faced by
today’s legal counselors. In an effort to accommodate our
alumni, Ms. McKeever offers programs through a combination of
venues at various times throughout the year. Her forte is the
utilization of alumni practitioners as subject matter experts and
instructors for the various programs delivered. “Our alumni
are often the true experts in their respective disciplines.
These individuals willingly share their insight and expertise for
the benefit of our alumni base. This exemplifies the
congenial family feeling of attending and graduating from St.
John’s Law,” noted Dean McKeever.
Offering Counsel to fellow St. John’s Law alumni Ms. McKeever
encourages, “all Law School graduates are encouraged to stay
connected to alma mater. Give freely of your time and talent,
the rewards of doing so are tremendous - and a tradition at St.
John’s Law. The St. John’s Law alumni/ae base has made a
tremendous impact on my life both before, and after,
graduation. Make an impact on future Law Students, you will
feel better for doing so!”