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The Lasting Legal Legacy of Justin L. Quackenbush
Judge Justin L. Quackenbush, his grandson Matthew, daughter-in-law Michelle and son Karl at a 2007 Washington Bar Association celebration.
In the fall of 1929, Carl and Marian Quackenbush launched a legal legacy that today is in its fourth generation and poised to carry on in perpetuity, thanks to the generosity of Karl and Michelle Quackenbush. Carl and Marian were Karl Quackenbush’s grandparents, and the legacy they bore that day in October was Karl’s father, Justin L. Quackenbush (J.D. ’57) — future Gonzaga University School of Law alum, United States District Court Senior Judge, and the namesake of the Quackenbush Lecture.
The lecture series honors Judge Quackenbush for his outstanding contributions to the legal profession and the Spokane community, while promoting the principles of leadership, ethics, and civil discourse. Karl and Michelle Quackenbush recently endowed the series so that it may continue to be a valuable resource for Gonzaga Law students and the communities they serve.
“We are deeply indebted to the Quackenbush family for this generous gift,” said Smithmore P. Myers Dean, Jacob H. Rooksby. “The Quackenbush lecture has drawn many judicial and academic luminaries to Gonzaga Law School over the years. The endowment of the lecture series will ensure future generations of law students are inspired to pursue justice and service, in the long tradition of the Quackenbush family which has such close ties to Gonzaga University and eastern Washington.”
Judge Justin Quackenbush’s father Carl (J.D., ’31) was a schoolteacher who began taking night school classes at Gonzaga University School of Law in 1929 — the same year Justin was born and the Hillyard High Panthers’ football team, which Carl coached, played in the University of Washington stadium against Bellingham’s Fairhaven High on Thanksgiving Day. After graduating from Gonzaga Carl became the prosecuting attorney of Spokane County before serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, receiving the Cross of Lorraine medal from the city of Nancy for his meritorious service in helping to rebuild the city’s infrastructure and government after years of German occupation. Carl eventually became a Superior Court Judge in Spokane.
Young Justin must have been paying attention, as his journey paralleled his father’s in many ways. Born and raised in Spokane, Justin joined the Navy before he graduated from the University of Idaho in 1951. He served as a naval officer aboard a destroyer during the Korean War, and when he returned home, he worked during the day and, like his father before him, attended night classes at Gonzaga Law, maintaining a regular spot on the honor roll.
After graduating in 1957, Justin went into private practice and worked as a prosecuting attorney in Spokane County. He built a close friendship with another attorney who also taught at Gonzaga Law: Thomas Foley. Quackenbush served as Foley’s campaign manager for nearly a decade of successful Congressional election bids. In 1980, Quackenbush was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. He was confirmed by the Senate shortly thereafter, and served until 1995, when he was assigned the semi-retired “senior” status.
Karl kept the family ball of legal education rolling, becoming the third Quackenbush to become an attorney, as did his eldest son Kyle. After working in private practice for 32 years, Karl served as General Counsel at Valve Corp. from 2011 to 2023, at which point he retired to join his wife Michelle in serving their community.
“My Dad’s contributions strengthened institutions,” Karl agreed, “and this lecture series gives back to the community in an important way.” Michelle added that (other than her husband) her father-in-law was the most honorable man she’d ever met.
The Quackenbushes are proud to support the School of Law in this way because it exposes students to a broad variety of perspectives, leaders, and principles that may challenge their ways of thinking and encourage them to “lean into the tension,” in the Jesuit tradition.
“Making institutions like Gonzaga stronger benefits us all, especially in these times,” said Karl.
“And through our experience with Jesuit institutions, I’m confident Justin enjoyed and learned from the Jesuits’ counsel,” added Michelle.
Gonzaga is grateful for the Quackenbushes for their family’s relationship with the University and their dedication to furthering the mission of the School of Law. Learn more about the Quackenbush Lecture and its past speakers and consider honoring a loved one with your own gift to the University, here.