Earle (J.D. '75) and Catherine O'Donnell

An Investment for the Future

In 1975 when Earle H. O'Donnell graduated from GW Law, legal work in the energy field was plentiful. While he began working at a boutique energy firm in Bethesda, Maryland, he is now the head of White & Case LLP's Energy Markets and Regulatory Practice. In this role, he also serves as chair of the firm's Global Power Industry Group and Global Industry Group Council.

"I have benefited greatly from my GW Law education," he says, "GW prepared me very well to be an attorney, and I attribute whatever success I might have to the quality of the people I met and was taught by."

In 2012, together with his wife Catherine, the O'Donnells established a charitable remainder unitrust to benefit the Law School. The unitrust will provide an income stream until they both pass away, at which time the remainder will be added to The Earle and Catherine O'Donnell Endowed Law Scholarship established in 2008. The Earle and Catherine O'Donnell Endowed Law Scholarship and The Earle and Catherine O'Donnell Annual Scholarship are allocated to the Law School to use at its discretion to support an area of high need financial aid.

The O'Donnells view philanthropy as a partnership and charitable giving as a joint decision. "For Cathy and me, this is a partnership decision. These are family assets and family values. Your charities express who you are as much as anything you do."

Earle and Catherine O'Donnell gave back to the Law School with a charitable remainder unitrust. "I like investments for the future," Earle says. "Administrators of the future will think well of you and be thankful for your foresight."

The O'Donnells initially chose to become involved in GW Law's philanthropy out of a sense of loyalty. "My husband received an excellent education from GW Law, and it has helped to provide for the rest of our lives," says Cathy.