By Michael Fisch
features
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winter 2025
Even before she began serving as U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, Claire Cronin, JD ’85, HLLD ’22, was making history. The first female majority leader in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, she championed groundbreaking legislation on criminal justice reform and protections for domestic violence survivors. Her gift for bringing people together caught the attention of President Joe Biden, who nominated her to represent U.S. diplomatic interests in Ireland.
In her commencement address to Suffolk Law's Class of 2022, Ambassador Cronin urged students to cultivate a sense of caring about the lives of people with whom they disagreed, calling such an understanding essential to both effective leadership and meaningful compromise.
In a recent conversation, she reflected on her early days serving in Dublin and the power of empathy in international relations.
In your 2022 Suffolk Law commencement address, you said compromise is still possible on the world stage and that empathy often drives that compromise. As you have worked in Ireland, can you give an example of a time when empathy may have played a role?
Russia invaded Ukraine within my first few weeks in Ireland. We were quickly trying to shore up support for the Ukrainian people. The people of Ireland and the Irish government were very welcoming to the Ukrainians. Ireland took in over 100,000 refugees—an extraordinary feat given that Ireland is a country of only 5 million people. I believe that this great support was driven by a sense of moral duty as well as empathy.
Have you noticed a different kind of political culture in Ireland than in the U.S.?
The Irish people are very engaged in politics and are also extremely well-versed in United States elections. The biggest difference is that there are multiple parties in Ireland, rather than a two-party system, and a coalition-based government.
What were your best and worst days in Ireland so far?
I’ve had many good days in Ireland. We have worked hard to encourage Irish businesses to invest in the United States through our SelectUSA program. When I arrived in 2022, Ireland was the ninth-largest foreign direct investor in the United States; as of July 2024, Ireland has become the seventh-largest investor.
My worst day was shortly after the horrifying attacks on October 7 in Israel. I met with family members of the hostages and with families that had loved ones killed on October 7. The shock and the despair of the families will be ingrained in my memory forever.
Were you a day or evening student at Suffolk?
I was a day student. I remember my days at Suffolk being a very happy time in my life. I remember [former Suffolk University President] David Sargent speaking to our class on the first day of school. I remember him saying that after a law school education, we would never think in the same way again. It really stuck with me—and he was right. He was a great professor as well. I was in his Wills and Trusts class.
You served in the Suffolk Defenders Clinic. What kinds of cases or clients were you dealing with back then?
I represented clients in Brockton District Court on some low-level criminal matters. The experience made me realize that I wanted to be a trial lawyer.
Did the clinic work help prepare you for your political career?
In the early part of my career, I gained my first trial experiences in the criminal courts. My time there was helpful to me when I served as judiciary chair in the House of Representatives during criminal justice reform negotiations.
Is being an ambassador anything like it is portrayed on TV shows?
Absolutely not!
Photograph by ASSOCIATED PRESS
