Hubert J. Santos (1944-2021)
Founder
Hubert J. Santos founded Santos & LaLima, P.C., and was an owner and partner in the firm until his passing in 2021. He was an active and successful trial and appellate attorney for over five decades, almost all of those years while at his Hartford-based firm. In his years, Hubert frequently handled cases which drew remarkable attention for either being some of the most high-profile in Connecticut or for their legal significance.
Affectionately known to his friends and colleagues as “Hubie,” he graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1969. From 1972 to 1974 he served as federal public defender and in 1978 he was appointed Corporation Counsel for Hartford. Hubert was appointed by Governor O'Neil as one of the original members of the Judicial Selection Commission. From 1976 to 1986 Mr. Santos served member of the adjunct faculty of UConn Law School. Hubert gave his time to the legal profession as a lecturer, panelist and/or moderator at numerous seminars and conferences through his career.
In 1993, the University of Connecticut School of Law Alumni Association honored Hubert by awarding him with the "Distinguished Graduate Award." In 2005, the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association awarded its highest honor to Hubert by presenting him with the “Champion Of Liberty” Award. In 2019, he received the President’s Award for Excellence by the Hartford County Bar Association, recognizing that he “exemplifies the highest traditions of the legal profession, has performed significant services to the community at large, and exemplifies excellence and civility in his or her practice.
Hubert passed away in June 2021. His legacy is not his incredible, five-decade long case history, but instead the people. His legacy is the countless clients who were better for Hubert taking their cases, the army of defense lawyers who learned or were inspired by his dedication and boldness, and the numerous other legal professionals who were sharpened by their respectful but spirited back-and-forths with him. He will be missed.