Fourth-generation attorney sworn in by father

 All in the family. Among those in attendance at the swearing in of Sean M. McNally were (l-r) James N. McNally IV, Judge Michael K. McNally, Sean, John G. McNally, Cheryl McNally, all licensed attorneys in the state of Michigan. 

In an emotional ceremony on Nov. 1, Sean M. McNally of Trenton became the eighth member of his family to be sworn in to practice law in Michigan. The ceremony was conducted by his father, Judge Michael K. McNally, at the 33rd District Court in Woodhaven, and included five family members currently licensed to practice law in the state. Sean McNally’s uncle, attorney John McNally who practices in Trenton, was joined by cousins Jim McNally IV and Cheryl McNally, also attorneys admitted to the State Bar, in motioning the court to induct Sean McNally as the fourth generation of attorneys in the McNally family. They were joined by friends and family, as Judge McNally recanted stories of the long legal history of the family and emphasized to his son the honor of becoming an attorney, as well as the importance of integrity in the profession.

“There is no greater profession than the practice of law,” Judge McNally stated. “Act always as a zealous advocate, but with professionalism and integrity.”

Sean McNally comes from a long line of legal minds, with four generations of the family having practiced law consistently since 1927. His father, Michael, is the longest serving judge in the history of the 33rd District Court. His grandfather, the late Gerald A. McNally, was the first judge to serve at the 33rd District Court. His great-grandfather, the late James N. McNally II, was elected as the Wayne County Prosecutor and served from 1947-1948, and was also Justice of the Peace in Grosse Pointe Park in the 1950s.  Gerald McNally’s brother, and Sean McNally’s great-uncle, the late James N. McNally III, was a judge in Harper Woods.

Sean McNally is a 2006 alumnus of Trenton High School, and received his undergraduate degree from James Madison College at Michigan State University in 2010. He attended Wayne State University Law School and graduated in May 2013 before taking the July 2013 bar exam. He received his passing results in late October.

“I must admit that I was extremely nervous before the exam results came out,” he said. “After working as hard as I did throughout the summer, the realization that my future depended on that one exam was very stressful. I have never been happier or more relieved than when I received the passing results.”

Sean McNally is joining the law firm Ballan & Busse in Oak Park as an associate attorney as he embarks on his legal career.  

“I am extremely excited to continue to develop legal skills under Mr. (Charles) Busse and the attorneys in his Oak Park office. It will be a great opportunity to learn from experienced and hard working attorneys.”

“We are very proud of Sean, “ said Judge McNally, “and have every reason to believe that he will be a highly successful attorney, and a credit to the legal profession.”

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