FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NAPLES, Fla. — October 28, 2026 —

Ave Maria School of Law Professors Kevin H. Govern and Patrick T. Gillen have been named to the 2026 Irish Legal 100, a national recognition celebrating distinguished legal professionals who share a proud Irish heritage.

Founded in 2008, the Irish Legal 100 recognizes attorneys, legal scholars, and members of the judiciary whose work has distinguished them within the profession. Its annual celebration brings honorees together at the residence of Ireland’s ambassador to the United States in Washington, D.C., highlighting the enduring connections between Ireland and America.

“I am particularly proud to be a part of a community that fosters excellence, service, and the invaluable contributions of Irish Americans to the legal profession,” Professor Govern shared. “I extend my sincere gratitude to the Irish Legal 100 and Our Lady’s Law School, Ave Maria School of Law, for nominating me.”

Professor Govern, Associate Dean of Faculty Development and Professor of Law, brings extensive experience in military service, scholarship, and legal education to Ave Maria Law. He served for 20 years as an Army Judge Advocate and taught at the United States Military Academy at West Point. His teaching and scholarship encompass international and comparative law, national security, military law, ethics, and law and religion.

Professor Gillen, Associate Professor of Law, brings a background in constitutional litigation and American history to his teaching. Before entering legal academia, he spent 14 years in legal practice, including federal judicial clerkships and civil litigation involving constitutional law and civil liberties. He holds both a law degree and a doctorate in American history from the University of Notre Dame. At Ave Maria Law, his courses include Constitutional Law, Evidence, and Moral Foundations of Law.

Their recognition offers the Ave Maria Law community an opportunity to celebrate two faculty members whose scholarship, service, and dedication to legal education reflect the school’s commitment to forming principled lawyers.

Ave Maria School of Law congratulates Professors Govern and Gillen and extends its thanks to Ireland’s Ambassador to the United States, Geraldine Byrne Nason, and the Irish Legal 100 organizers for celebrating Irish American contributions to the legal profession.

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