MARGARET GAFFNEY GRAF has been general counsel at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles since July 2003 where she carries overall responsibility for civil law matters of the Archdiocese including its approximately 600 parishes, schools, cemeteries and other operating units, EBS and related technology and other efforts.

Prior to her designation as general counsel, she was in the private practice of law in New York and California. She specialized in corporate and commercial law serving primarily public and private for-profit entrepreneurial, emerging and established enterprises, in the United States, Canada and Europe.

Ms. Graf served on the Archdiocesan Finance Council and has been on the board of Marlborough School and committees of the California State Bar. She continues to be included in boards and committees at Cornell and Indiana University, and is currently on the boards of South Central Los Angeles Ministry Project, Friars Charitable Foundation and St. Thomas More Society of Los Angeles.

Before law school at Cornell, she was employed by Procter & Gamble and was on the faculty of Cornell University (College of Human Ecology).

Law Firms:
Reed Smith / Crosby Heafey (2001 – 2003);
Brand Farrar & Buxbaum (1996 – 2001);
McDermott, Will & Emery (1988 – 1996);
Hill, Betts & Nash, Los Angeles & New York (1985 – 1988);
Phillips, Nizer, Benjamin, Kim & Ballon, New York (1976 – 1984);
Webster & Sheffield (successor to Spear and Hill) (1973-1976)

Professional:
Member of the California Bar since 1987; Member of the New York Bar since 1974; Admitted to federal district courts in New York and California and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second and Ninth Circuits; Admitted to Supreme Court of the United States of America.

Education:
Iowa State University – B.S., 1964
Indiana University – M.S. Higher Education/Student Personnel, 1966
Cornell University Law School – J.D., 1973