McNees’ Kendra McGuire Elected First Woman President of Lancaster’s Hamilton Club
May 30, 2017
Press Releases
LANCASTER, Pa. – Kendra McGuire, a member attorney at McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, has been elected as president of the Hamilton Club in Lancaster, Pa.
McGuire is the first woman to be elected president in the 128-year history of the Hamilton Club.
“I am rather humbled by the opportunity,” McGuire said. “It is a great honor to represent the Hamilton Club as its first woman president, and I am also well aware that I wouldn’t have this opportunity but for the men and women who have gone before me and participated in the leadership and prosperity of the Hamilton Club.”
Named in honor of James Hamilton, a prominent political figure in Colonial America and planner of the City of Lancaster, the Hamilton Club was a men-only club until the 1980s. Founded in 1889, the club has been located at 106 East Orange Street in downtown Lancaster since 1912. It is cited by the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County as the earliest domestic example of the “Chateauesque” style in Lancaster County.
A private social club with the mission to provide unwavering commitment and personalized attention and exceptional life-enhancing experiences its members, the Hamilton Club provides its members with exceptional benefits that include the club’s unparalleled culinary staff, social and fitness activities (including private and club-wide specialty dining, duckpin bowling, onsite health club with 24/7 access, and two full-size squash courts), plus privileges at over 75 reciprocal clubs around the country and abroad, and the ability to book private events in any of the club’s banquet rooms.
The club also hosts a popular speakers’ series that touches on a range of topics, including urban and rural development, the state of education, homeland security, and the Civil War. Events spotlighting the work of local artists “marry the Hamilton Club to a signature role of the Lancaster community, which is art and the support of visual and performing arts in the community,” says McGuire. “The Hamilton Club fosters these kinds of intellectual opportunities for its members. Our members want to be challenged and inspired.”
McGuire, the Member in Charge of McNees’ Lancaster office, joined the Hamilton Club in 2003. In May 2015, she was elected house chair/vice president of the Hamilton Club and was the first woman to serve in this role. As House Chair, McGuire was charged with overseeing the operations of the Club.
McGuire says she hopes to dispel notions of the club as “just a bunch of old, well-to-do men, which couldn’t be farther from the truth.” Today’s Hamilton Club has a diverse membership that is so important to the intellectual and social interests of the members. The Hamilton Club does not discriminate in its admission practices and has long recognized domestic partners of any gender.
“Kendra’s leadership skills and commitment to Client service in her professional life fit perfectly in her role as Club President,” David M. Kleppinger, the Chairman of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, said. “She will excel at the challenging role of serving the members of a historical organization like the Hamilton Club, just as she excels in her law practice.”
A member of the McNees Litigation practice group, McGuire represents trust companies, financial institutions, companies, shareholders, educational organizations, healthcare institutions and providers, charities and individuals. Focusing on fiduciary litigation, McGuire’s courtroom experience includes numerous jury trials, injunction proceedings, hearings, and mediations.
McGuire has been recognized as The Best Lawyers in America® since 2012 and named a Super Lawyer since 2015. She is recognized by Philadelphia Magazine as a “Top Philadelphia Lawyer” and in 2017, she was named Best Lawyers®, Lawyer of the Year for her work in fiduciary litigation. She has served on many boards, including the Economic Development Corporation of Lancaster County, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, Visiting Nurse Association, United Way of Lancaster County, and the Lancaster Bar Association.
She received her J.D. from The University of Pittsburgh School of Law and her undergraduate degree from Franklin & Marshall College. She is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania.
