Hubert J, Santos Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Hubert J. Santos passed away peacefully, after an overnight stay at Hartford Hospital, on June 22, 2021, at the age of 76. Hubie, as he was fondly known, was one of the most respected and accomplished trial and appellate lawyers in the State of Connecticut for over 50 years. He was known for his humor, compassion, creativity, and perseverance. A proud graduate of Enfield High School, the University of Hartford, and the University of Connecticut Law School, Hubie excelled in everything he did. He was a standout athlete in high school, and continued on to play shortstop for the University of Hartford, where he graduated magna cum laude. In law school, he was the Lead Articles Editor of the Connecticut Law Review and graduated cum laude in 1969. He began his legal career at Updike, Kelly and Spellacy. Realizing that handling collection cases was not for him, he became the first federal public defender in the District of Connecticut in 1972. As a federal defender, he defended individuals in complex federal prosecutions and regularly argued before the United State Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Since 1974, he has been engaged in the private practice of law in Hartford with his own firm and has tried a broad variety of civil and criminal cases in state and federal courts, including all types of criminal defense cases, trade secrets, personal injury matters, death penalty litigation and business disputes. He also has represented individuals and businesses in many state and federal grand jury investigations. He worked alongside numerous colleagues over the years and was proud to see how many developed into successful lawyers and judges. His ability to conduct cross-examinations and deliver closing arguments was legendary. Once, during his closing argument to a jury in a civil case, he sang a portion of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta, “Trial By Jury”, even though singing was not one of his many talents. He was fearless in the courtroom, and had an uncanny ability to read witnesses, jurors, and judges. His warmth, inside and outside the courtroom, endeared him to co-counsel, foes, and anyone in between. In 1978, Hubie was appointed Corporation Counsel for the City of Hartford. He was appointed by Governor O’Neill as one of the original members of the Judicial Selection Commission in 1986, a position he held through 1993. From 1976 to 1986, Hubie served as a lecturer in trial practice as a member of the adjunct faculty of the University of Connecticut School of Law. He has been a lecturer, panelist, and/or moderator at numerous seminars and conferences sponsored by various bar associations, law schools, and other organizations throughout his entire career. Hubie was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers as a Fellow in 1986 and was a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Over the years, the publication Best Lawyers in America has recognized him as one of the outstanding criminal defense and personal injury lawyers in the State of Connecticut. On multiple occasions, Hubie was named by Connecticut Magazine as one of the Best Lawyers in Connecticut. In 1993, the University of Connecticut School of Law Alumni Association honored Hubie by awarding him with the Distinguished Graduate Award. In 2005, the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association awarded its highest honor to Mr. Santos by presenting him with the “Champion of Liberty” Award. In 2019, the Hartford County Bar Association honored him with the President’s Award for Excellence. A proud son of a Portuguese father and Italian mother, Hubie was born on September 12, 1944 to the late Manuel and Susie (Grippo) Santos. Hubie leaves behind his wife, the Hon. Thelma A. Santos, his son Peter, his daughter Stephanie and her husband Nathan, parents of his two grandsons. He also leaves behind two sisters, Florine Valente (Thomas) and Jacqueline Crawley (Joseph), and numerous nieces and nephews. He loved his family greatly, with his favorite activities being attending Red Sox games and visiting the Rhode Island shore with them. On June 29, a private graveside funeral was attended by the immediate family. Anyone wishing to make a charitable donation in Hubert’s memory may do so to the University of Connecticut School of Law Foundation at 55 Elizabeth St., Hartford, CT 06105. Please indicate to the Law School that it should be used as scholarship funding for needy students. 0