Words of Wisdom from General Counsel Maureen McGuire

For the past 10 years, Maureen McGuire has served as Gonzaga's general counsel, representing the University in a period of unprecedented growth and academic achievement. McGuire is retiring after a 40-year career dedicated to the law, social justice and higher education. In tribute to her service to Gonzaga, Chief of Staff Charlita Shelton recently sat down with McGuire for an enlightening conversation focused on the pivotal roles that family, service and Jesuit values have played in her life and career.

You can watch a video of their conversation right here.

McGuire’s GU roots run deep. Raised in Spokane, she participated in debate on the GU campus as a teen, and graduated from the Gonzaga School of Law. Her love of the law and social justice includes a long tenure with the Washington Attorney General’s office focusing on child protection and higher education. When GU came into the picture, it was the perfect fit.

“I was leaving College Hall after meeting with my final interviewer, which was President McCulloh,” McGuire recalls. “And I thought to myself as I’m walking to my car, ‘Boy, I don’t know if they want me, but I want this job. I want to be here. I think I’m meant to be here.’”

In conversation with Shelton, McGuire reflected on her upbringing, legal career and the life lessons that have informed her work, values and memories.

“Kindness matters,” she said. “I really believe in treating everyone with dignity and respect and being kind to others, treating others the way you would want to be treated. The Golden Rule. And hopefully, you give back to another group as I have had the opportunity to do.

“And I am most grateful for having had this opportunity to be at Gonzaga as general counsel. It’s truly been the dream job. Being able to represent my alma mater and serve Gonzaga in this way as the chief legal officer has been the capstone of my career.”