He graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1976 and in 1977 was admitted to the Massachusetts bar.
[1] In April 1987, McNamara was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to serve as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts.
[3] In November 1988, the Justice Department released a report concluding that McNamara had falsely accused his predecessor, William F. Weld, of smoking marijuana.
In the general election he lost to Democratic Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill 123,296 votes to 41,370.
[6] From 2003 to 2005, McNamara served as the President of Parkman Shaw & Company, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor.