ALUMNI PROFILES From All Four Corners

Smithmoore P. MYERS ’39 Spokane, Washington

n every school or university you will find a few exceptional individuals who have made a truly defining contribution to the life and character of their institution. I At Gonzaga Law School, Smitty Myers is one of those individuals. Born in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1914, Smitty Myers came to Spokane at the age of three with his mother, his six-year-old brother Robert, and his nine-year-old sister Nellie. If young Smitty and his siblings had one great advantage in life it was their mother Julia, a single mother and a woman of tremendous strength and spirit who was devoted to her children and their welfare. Although his parents had divorced when Smitty was quite young, his mother went out of her way to ensure that their father remained a regular part of the children’s lives. During his first five years in Spokane, Smitty attended five different grade schools. As one might expect, he excelled academi- cally except for one anomalous “F” he received as a first grader in, of all subjects, public speaking. Smitty’s mother and teacher conferred and concluded the grade was due to the young boy’s shyness and not his lack of ability. Given Smitty’s subsequent prowess in debate, legal argumentation, and public speaking, it would seem their assessment of the situation was accurate. Within a year of arriving in Spokane, Smitty’s mother found employment in the women’s shoe department of the Crescent, a job she would have for the next two decades. Although it was a demanding six-day-a-week job, Julia Myers made sure she was home every noon to fix the children’s lunch. There was never any question of the priority her children held in her life. In 1922, the family moved to a house in Peaceful Valley. The $15 a month rental provided them with a small home that had one cold water faucet, and toilet facilities located on the screen porch at the rear of the house. As Smitty recalls, they felt very comfortable in their Peaceful Valley residence. They would have been content to stay had not tragedy struck in 1924, when Smitty’s older brother, Robert, died of rheumatic fever. Grieving her loss, Julia Myers could not endure the bittersweet memories so the family moved to an apartment at Fourth and Lincoln on Spokane’s lower South Hill. Now attending the Hawthorne School, Smitty was told one day that there would be a debate with a neighboring school and that he had been selected to participate. Although he wasn’t quite sure what it was all about, he prepared and did well. His one enduring memory of the occasion was that he liked it. On that day, a seed was planted. At Lewis and Clarke High School Smitty was a member of the two-person freshman team which vanquished the upper classes in the school’s intramural debate competition. His forensic skills were so good that he made the school’s varsity debate team as a freshman. Myers also

THE LAWYER SUMMER 2004 – 15 ALUMNI PROFILES excelled academically. He finished his final year at Lewis and didn’t have a driver’s license. In fact, he did not even know how to Clarke as Senior Class Vice-President, with the second highest drive. But Smitty was a quick study and the boss was a trusting academic average in his class. soul. He gave Smitty his personal automobile to practice with and There was never any doubt that Smitty Myers was headed to when late afternoon rolled around, he put Smitty in the driver’s college and that that college would be Gonzaga. Just as he had in seat of a truck with instructions to deliver kegs to a drinking high school, Smitty became active in debate and student govern- establishment in one of Spokane’s more questionable areas. Smitty ment. He enjoyed the academic challenge and the quality of successfully negotiated the roads and the alleys and began rolling instruction he received from teachers such as Fr. Leo Robinson and the kegs off the truck. After observing the relatively slight delivery from Fr. Albert Lemieux who was his debate coach. man wrestling with the heavy kegs, the tavern owner asked Smitty To help finance his education, Myers took on the 1:00 a.m. to if he intended to make a career out of beer deliveries. Smitty told 7a.m. shift at Sacred Heart Hospital where he worked the switch- him he was a law student just doing work for the summer. The board and ran the admitting office. It was 42 hours, seven days a tavern owner suggested Smitty would be better served by sticking week, but during the occasional quiet times, Smitty found time to to law. For Smitty, it was advice well received and gratefully study. followed. At Gonzaga, Myers was an outstanding member of a very In law school as in his undergraduate years, Smitty had the successful varsity debate team. On one occasion Gonzaga’s full confidence and respect of his peers. He was a three time class forensic juggernaut went up against a team from the University of president, and as senior he was elected President of the Student Bar Idaho that included a young man named Lewis Orland who would Association. later become very well known to both Myers and generations of By his final year of law school, Smitty’s academic skill and Gonzaga students. (See news clip from 1935 in Law Briefs page solid personal reputation attracted the attention of Superior Court 32.) Judge Richard Webster, who offered Smitty a highly coveted position as his clerk. In that capacity, Myers briefed cases for the judge. He also conducted interviews with and prepared assessment reports on young people slated to appear on the court’s weekly Smithmoore P. Myers ’39 juvenile docket. It was an excellent job that payed $150 a month, Spokane, Washington which was considerably more than most young lawyers in Spokane were making at that time. Because he needed transporta-
tion to conduct these interviews, Smitty put down $250 to buy a 1932 Ford Model C. Thanks to prior experience, he was now fully During his undergraduate career, Smitty Myers served as licensed and sufficiently skilled to make use of his new purchase. president of his sophomore and junior classes, and as a senior he In April of 1939, Smitty’s mother collapsed at her work from was elected Gonzaga Student Body President. He completed his complications brought on by pneumonia. Her health was poor and studies with the top academic rank in his class, graduating summa he and his sister Nellie agreed she would not return to work. cum laude in 1936. Smitty received his degree summa cum laude that spring but By the time he began his senior year, Smitty fully understood he put off taking the bar exam due to his mother’s poor health. He that his talents and interests were a perfect match for a career in continued working at the court and studying for the bar in the law. But law school would have delayed his ability to contribute evening. In 1940 he finally took the bar and, as he found out some economically to the family. On a Sunday walk with his mother he twenty years later, received the highest grade in the state. That carefully broached the idea of going to law school. Although an same year, he was asked to return to the Law School as an additional income would have helped, Julia Myers didn’t hesitate a instructor of real property. From the moment he began, Smitty moment in her response. “If that is what you want to do,” she said, Myers loved teaching and knew he wanted it to be a part of his “then that is what we will do.” professional life. Any doubts Smitty may have had about his presumptive In 1942, with World War II looming, Myers received a call vocation, were dispelled early in his law school experience. His from Creighton Flynn, a law school classmate from Tacoma. Flynn subjects interested him and his teachers won his admiration. He told him about a new naval officer program designed to train saw some very different but effective approaches in the classroom. administrative officers who could free trained pilots for flight duty. There was the very scholarly and patient Dean James Emmet Smitty liked the idea and convinced another classmate, Norm Royce; the feisty and demanding Mike Kerley; and the highly Johnson, to apply. Both were accepted and received their orders for professional Frank Weaver, who would go on to serve on the State the Quonset Pointe Naval Station in Rhode Island. After the two Supreme Court. month training, the officer in charge asked Smitty to stay on as his Finances were always an issue for students during these times Chief Administrative Assistant. Smitty accepted and remained an and Smitty tried his best to make ends meet. One summer, while additional year at Quonset Pointe performing administrative duties working in a local brewery warehouse, the boss asked Smitty to and teaching naval law. make a beer delivery for him. The only problem was that Smitty The following summer, Myers applied for and was accepted

THE LAWYER SUMMER 2004 – 16 ALUMNI PROFILES to train as a non-pilot navigator. During his navigator training in improved, legal writing courses were made part of the curriculum New York City, he received a call from his law school friend, Jack and ABA standards limiting outside work for students were Close, who asked Smitty if he wanted to join him in the VR2 enforced. During that period the quality of graduates was excellent. program, at the Alameda Naval Air Station in California. For the They performed consistently well on the bar with average pass next two years, Myers was part of an “on call” flight crew that took rates of 85% or better. “flying boats” all over the Pacific. His assignments sent him to It was during this initial term as Dean, that Smitty Myers met Sydney and Auckland as well as Guadalcanal and the other battle- the person who would change his life for the better – for ever. It torn islands. As soon as enemy air defenses were suppressed, the was 1957 when he went down to the U.S. Courthouse to meet with squadron’s “flying boats” came in with much needed supplies. the U.S. District Court Judge. As Smitty tells it, he “approached In November of 1945, Smitty Myers was honorably dis- the counter when this vision of loveliness approached and said charged from the Navy with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. ‘May I help you?’” It was Sandy Sandulo. At that point Smitty On the recommendation of a Deputy State Attorney General whom admits that his voiced cracked like a 14 year old’s. As Smitty he had met in the service, Smitty applied and was accepted for a describes it “This is the most beautiful woman I have ever met and position with the Washington State Attorney General’s office. For I’ve killed myself in the first 15 seconds.” While Smitty’s the next two years, he did trial and appellate work for the office description of the young lady was accurate, his assessment of the including a number of appeals before the Washington State situation could not have been more in error. This first halting Supreme Court. encounter with Sandy In 1947, he joined Sandulo would mark the Gonzaga graduates Tom beginning of the most Kelley and Art O’Sullivan important and defining as part of a general practice relationship of his life. law firm in Seattle. Over Unfortunately, it would be the next eight years he two years before Smitty developed an excellent could pursue the relation- practice which included a ship in earnest. The day he good amount of appellate met Sandy, he was work as well as a thriving appointed special master specialty in the area of for a long complex water motor freight transportation rights case. Due to Sandy’s law. In time, he became the work, there was at least the chief lawyer for more than appearance of a conflict of twenty local area freight interest in Smitty dating carriers. It was a practice someone who worked with and a life he could have one of the ligitation teams. easily maintained had he Sandy and Smitty Myers In 1965 Smitty was not agreed in 1955 to go to appointed U.S. Attorney lunch with Father James Linden, Gonzaga’s Law School Regent. for the Eastern District of Washington by President Lyndon Since he came to Gonzaga in the 1930s, Father Linden had Johnson. For Smitty it was as close to an ideal job as you could passionately pursued the goal of improving the Law School and get. He successfully tried a variety of cases on both the criminal bringing it to full stature. In 1952 he helped Gonzaga become the and civil side. Smitty Myers would have been content to stay on first night school ever accredited by the American Bar Association. indefinitely, but the change of political power in Washington ended He was now intent on building a stronger full-time administrative his tenure in 1969. staff and faculty. He wanted to take the Law School to the next That same year, Smitty Myers returned to private practice in level and he saw in Smitty Myers a person who could help him get Spokane with Eldon Reiley, Gene Annis and Paul Bastine. In 1971 there. Over lunch, the highly persuasive Fr. Linden asked Smitty the firm merged with a tax group that included Scott Lukins and Myers to become the new Law School dean. Gary Randall. The new firm was named Lukins Myers and Annis. It was not an easy decision for Smitty. After the meeting, he Although the law firm was growing and prospering, Smitty walked the Seattle waterfront for nearly five hours as he consid- Myers, could not ignore his increasing desire to return to the ered his options. In the end, his affection for the school and his classroom. He compromised by teaching an equity class from 1971 love of teaching won out and he agreed to return to his alma mater to 1973 while maintaining his practice, but this only whetted his as Dean. appetite. In 1973 he returned to full time teaching, taking on class Over the next decade, Gonzaga continued to mature and sections in torts and products liability. improve as a law school under the able direction of Dean Myers. The school he returned to was far different from the one he The full-time faculty was increased, admission standards were had left less than a decade earlier. Gonzaga now had a day school

THE LAWYER SUMMER 2004 – 17 ALUMNI PROFILES and a large student body drawn from all over the country. The bring their civil cases before the local magistrate judge without faculty members were no longer predominantly Gonzaga graduates reservation. This was by far the highest positive response in the and the old Webster School had been significantly expanded and entire circuit. The next highest district recorded only a 65% remodeled. It was an exciting time with a bright and highly positive result. engaged student body, but it was also apparent to him that there Smitty thoroughly enjoyed his tenure as U.S. Magistrate were strains associated with this rapid transformation. Judge. He had a full and varied civil caseload. Indeed, given the Matters came to a head when the Law School’s application to speedy trial requirements of criminal cases, he wound up with become a member of the American Association of Law Schools more civil trials than the U.S. District Court judges. When his term was met with a critical review by the Association’s membership ended in 1987, Myers returned to his first love – the classroom. For committee. As a result the Law School voluntarily withdrew its the next eight years a very youthful and vigorous Smitty Myers application. taught Federal Jurisdiction to a new generation of Gonzaga law At the same time, the students were taking a more activist students. When he retired in 1995 at the age of 81, Myers had stance regarding facilities and resources. It was in the midst of this completed a teaching career at Gonzaga that spanned more than 55 turmoil that the new University President, Fr. Bernard Coughlin, years. approached Smitty Myers about assuming the deanship. Myers had As Smitty moved through his career, he maintained that most no illusions about the problems he faced. But in the final analysis important relationship with Sandy Sandulo. They had a long but his loyalty to the school and sense of service overcame any necessary engagement period because Smitty was the only reservations based on personal interest. After insisting on a vote of surviving child and the main support for his infirm mother, who confidence from the faculty and student body, Myers accepted. had lived with him for many years. Neither Sandy nor Smitty As one who had the confidence of all, Dean Myers moved wanted to disrupt Julia’s life and they felt their marriage would do quickly to restore trust among the parties and to address the critical just that. Smitty had an undying love for and gratitude to this issue of tuition revenues. He took the concerns of faculty, students, strong woman who had done so much for him. Sandy, who shared and accreditation agencies to Fr. Coughlin and found a receptive in that love and affection for Julia, supported his decision. hearing and a sincere resolve to rectify the Law School’s problems. Smitty’s mother died in 1982 at the age of 96. A few months later, He opened lines of communications with the students and, as far as Sandy and Smitty’s 24 year engagement ended when they were practicable, implemented their recommendations. He negotiated a married by Fr. Frank Costello S. J. in the Gonzaga Chapel. highly favorable revenue-sharing agreement with the University As anyone who knows them will tell you, you cannot really and secured expanded building space for the faculty and adminis- understand Smitty without reference to Sandy and vice versa. They tration. He also successfully addressed pressing concerns regarding are the true light of each other’s lives - the perfect compliment. But admissions standards and faculty turnover. In the final analysis, he their love is not the exclusive kind. With her outgoing personality, managed to restore a high level of trust among all interested parties her intelligence, wit, warmth and verve, Sandy insures that you can and to put the Law School back on solid footing. He was so never be just their acquaintance. It only takes about sixty seconds, effective that by the fall of 1977, the Law School was approved for a few engaging words and a warm hug from Sandy to initiate you full membership in the American Association of Law Schools. In into their large and diverse extended family. They are a generous recommending acceptance, the Association’s membership couple who take time to visit the infirm, to encourage those going committee expressed amazement at how far the school had come in through difficult times, and to celebrate birthdays and special such a short time. occasions in other people’s lives. In 1978, Smitty Myers had done what he set out to do. He At one of several parties held in honor of Smitty’s ninetieth resigned as Dean and returned to full time teaching. He would have birthday, a diverse group of hundreds of friends gathered to been content to teach until his retirement, but another special celebrate with the Myers. Whether measured in terms of age, opportunity arose when the Federal Judicial District of Eastern ethnicity or occupational status, it was as diverse a group as could Washington received approval for a full time U.S. Magistrate be imagined. The thing they had in common was their great Judge. Finally, the man with the quintessential judicial tempera- affection for Smitty and Sandy Myers. That was the only real ment could have his own court. The offer was made and Smitty reason they needed that evening to interact and enjoy the company Myers accepted. of otherwise total strangers. The U.S. Magistrate Judge’s position was for an eight-year By any measure, Smitty Myers has enjoyed a career that is as term. On the criminal side, Magistrate Judges handled only initial remarkable for its breadth as for its longevity, and he has received appearances. On the civil side, Magistrate Judges could try any his share of accolades. His alma mater has honored him with the case but only with the consent of both parties. In the sixth year of Gonzaga Law Medal and the Distinguished Alumni Merit Award. Myers’ term, the Ninth Circuit conducted a study to determine Last year, it conferred upon him the title of Dean Emeritus. The what percentage of trial lawyers in each district would be willing Washington State Bar has recognized him with their Award of to bring civil matters before their local magistrate. The results were Honor and Merit as well as the Professionalism Award. Not only a remarkable endorsement of Magistrate Judge Myers. In the did the Spokane County Bar make Smitty Myers the first recipient Eastern Washington District, 95% of trial lawyers said they would of their professionalism award, but they named it in his honor.

THE LAWYER SUMMER 2004 – 18 ALUMNI PROFILES

Smitty Myers is not one given to self promotion. It is simply the French campus of the Free University of Brussels, in Brussels not in his nature. He has never sought recognition or even great Belgium; as well as one semester studying American Foreign accomplishments. He has simply and generously put his consider- Policy at the American University in Washington, D.C. able abilities at the service of others for all the right reasons. He After graduation McQueen returned to Seattle and, like so has not only been a wonderful lawyer, teacher, judge and dean, but many graduates, began working in a field totally unrelated to her he has been an exemplar of what a lawyer should be. He has won undergraduate major. Her first position involved conducting field our great respect and our deep affection. By virtue of his example, research for a media marketing and consulting firm. This was he has made his professional colleagues proud to be attorneys and followed by work with an executive search firm serving Seattle’s the graduates of his alma mater proud to be Gonzaga lawyers. burgeoning high tech and bio-medical companies. As the months wore on, she felt a restlessness and a growing sense that she wasn’t on the right path. Molly McQueen ’94 Her instincts told her that graduate education would provide Portland, Oregon the best opportunity to increase her career options. So she began considering programs in communications, business, and law. She t has only been ten years since her graduation from Gonzaga was still undecided when she sat for the January 1991 LSAT exam. Law School, but in that decade, Molly McQueen has built a She had no particular expectations since her one undergraduate law remarkable career in the technically sophisticated areas of course had failed to kindle any enthusiasm in her. But much to her securities, finance, and international law. A strong work surprise, she enjoyed the test with its strong emphasis on logic. I Seven months later she was part of the entering class at Gonzaga ethic, an openness to change, and the courage to “go where the action is” are some of the qualities that have enabled McQueen to Law School. thrive in these complex and highly competitive areas, while From the very beginning, Molly McQueen knew she had holding down key legal positions with several of the country’s made the right decision. The restlessness was gone and she found most prominent financial services companies. herself totally engaged in her subjects. She had heard law school Although her father worked for the Washington State was highly competitive but her experience at Gonzaga was of a Department of Insurance, Molly McQueen never gave a second highly supportive community with accessible faculty and encour- thought to a career in financial services or law during her forma- aging friends. “I felt that the only one I was competing against was tive years. The fourth of five children, she grew up in a Seattle myself.” McQueen had a special regard for professors such as Gerry Hess, Speedy Rice and Bill Clarke. She marveled at Professor Molly McQueen ’94 Hess’s ability to engage and motivate his students. “He made civil Portland, Oregon procedure not only understandable but enjoyable” she noted. She admired Speedy Rice for his strong and consistent commitment to

principle, and Bill Clarke for his deep knowledge of the law and his highly professional demeanor. neighborhood just north of the University of Washington campus. Outside of class, McQueen worked for the local firm of After her freshman year at Seattle’s Garfield High School, her Connolly & Connolly. Here she gained both practical experience family moved to Olympia when her father was appointed Deputy and the good example of a young lawyer named Lisa Bradley who Insurance Commissioner. is now the Gonzaga Law School Dean of Students. In Bradley, As she looked toward her future, Molly McQueen decided to McQueen saw a very good and dedicated lawyer who consistently study in the only area that held a real fascination for her – managed to combine great professionalism with a remarkable level international relations. She selected Scripps, an all women college of grace, humor, and personal warmth. “For me” said McQueen, that is part of the Claremont “Lisa Bradley was one of the few true role models I had. If anyone consortium of schools in ever said that I reminded them of Lisa Bradley, I would take it as a Southern California, on the basis great compliment.” of its strong program in interna- After receiving her J.D. magna cum laude in 1994, McQueen tional relations. In addition to turned to another Jesuit institution, Georgetown, to pursue her solid academics, Scripps also master’s in the University’s highly regarded LL.M program in offered Molly the opportunity to International & Comparative Law. This move was consistent with spend her junior year of study off her long-standing attraction to international studies and it brought campus. For her, that would her back to Washington, D.C., the city she had enjoyed so much as include one semester studying a college junior. Although it would not be immediately evident, her what was then referred to as the knowledge of international law was to prove highly relevant to her European Community at the future professional endeavors. Institute of European Studies on Molly McQueen ’94 Her first position after finishing her LL.M with distinction

THE LAWYER SUMMER 2004 – 19 ALUMNI PROFILES was with the legal department of CNA, a leading global insur- to their Fortune 500 clients. This new Enterprise Risk Division ance organization based in Chicago. This was to be the first of analyzed, advised and serviced the entire range of a client’s many “trial-by-fire” experiences in her career. She had never operational, financial, and investment risks. They took on taken insurance law and yet she found herself with a desk full of everything from the placement of standard commercial lines files, unfamiliar subject matter, a host of clients awaiting insurance policies, to the management of maturing pension fund definitive legal answers, and very little supervisory assistance. obligations and foreign currency exposures. It was a high level Faced with the situation, McQueen began what would become a operation for their very best customers, and they chose Molly familiar drill. She picked up the first file, read it, researched it, McQueen to head up the division’s legal department. applied her best judgment, gave her advice, and moved on to the This was a great opportunity for McQueen; it incorporated next file. And it worked. Over the next several years she would everything she had learned up to that point. Her legal work covered get very comfortable with this approach and very skilled at it. issues in financial risk management, alternative risk transfer, At CNA McQueen provided legal counsel for all phases of capital markets and investment banking practices. Legal matters the corporation’s specialty: reinsurance and professional liability also arose in connection with the division’s substantial foreign insurance operations. Even though she was not expecting it, her operations in jurisdictions such as Canada, the Netherlands, work also took her into international legal matters since most Portugal, Spain and Hong Kong. During this period McQueen also reinsurance involves off-shore operations. served the broader financial community as a member of the Bond In 1997, Molly McQueen was offered a new opportunity Market Association’s Risk-Linked Securities Committee and as with real general counsel responsibilities when CNA acquired 2002 Chair of the Best Practices and Standardization Subcommit- Hedge Financial Products. The new division was pioneering tee. some highly innovative products designed to spread insurance For Molly McQueen the situation could not have been risk, not by transferring it to industry reinsurers, but by better—with the exception of one very important matter. She had securitizing it and bringing it to the capital markets, and they spent the greater part of her last decade far from her parents, her needed their own dedicated attorney to assist them. siblings and their families. As much as she loved New York and The new position brought Molly to New York and the center her years with CNA and Marsh & McLennan, she knew the time of the financial universe. She loved the energy, the pace and the was right to think about coming back to the Pacific Northwest. people she worked with. She was in a demanding and competi- Given her highly specialized practice, she understood it would tive environment dealing with highly sophisticated and rapidly not be easy to find a good career match close to home. As it turned evolving legal areas. But, she was more than up to the challenge out she not only needed patience and flexibility but a good deal of of learning and succeeding through the “trial by fire” approaches salesmanship as well. She had an interview with a high-end that had served her so well. international investment advisory firm in Portland, Oregon. At first At CNA Hedge Financial Products, McQueen advised they thought they were just looking for a compliance officer with a clients on a full range of legal issues arising from the division’s law degree, as all non-compliance related legal work was being securitization operations and other insurance hedging transac- outsourced to law firms in Portland, Los Angeles and Chicago. tions. She structured and negotiated one of the industry’s first When she interviewed she told them that what they really needed catastrophe bond transactions. She also served as a member of was a General Counsel. She backed up this assertion with a highly the working group for the National Association of Insurance convincing cost/benefit analysis. In the end, Molly McQueen sold Commissioners where she was a principal author of model the position first and then she sold herself. legislation designed to bring off-shore, multi-transaction stand- Today, Molly McQueen is Vice-President and General alone insurance entities (known as protected cell companies) Counsel of Compass Advisors LLC. Compass Advisors offers back into the United States and under a competitive domestic management and consulting services to investment corporations, regulatory environment. fund managers, trustees, pension and retirement funds, founda- After two years in this position, McQueen accepted an offer tions, non profits, and qualifying individuals. In her role, McQueen from Marsh & McLennan, a highly regarded international manages the legal affairs of the investment advisory firm and its professional and financial services firm, to serve as Chief global affiliates, including their hedge and private equity fund Counsel for their investment banking and capital markets operations and their directed brokerage unit. She deals with all the business unit. This unit specialized in alternative risk transfer, regulatory and transactional aspects of the company’s businesses risk securitization, structured derivatives and collateralized credit conducted through their offices in the United States and Switzer- transactions. They were also involved in mergers and acquisi- land. tions, advising primarily to client insurance companies. Molly Molly McQueen is enjoying her new work and her new life in McQueen’s background in international law was once again of Portland. The scope, sophistication and international aspects of her significant value since her client base included operations in job continue to challenge and engage her. Although she misses London and Bermuda. New York she still has relationships with many old friends and By the end of 2000, Marsh & McLennan had initiated a new colleagues from the city’s financial and investment community. concept in risk management services offering one-stop shopping Instead of a city apartment, she has a new house on a hill overlook-

THE LAWYER SUMMER 2004 – 20 ALUMNI PROFILES ing Portland’s downtown area. She loves the area’s active lifestyle held no preconceived ideas which for her includes frequent jogs along the city’s Esplanade. about what he would be doing Most of all, Molly McQueen enjoys the time and opportunity she after he earned his law now has to take the short trip to Washington State to be with her degree. family. Bridget McInerney was a By any measure, Molly McQueen’s first decade of profes- native of Oakland, California. sional life has been remarkably accomplished. When she looks During her high school years, back at the past ten years, she does so with a real sense of gratitude she traveled and volunteered for the opportunities she has had. She genuinely appreciates the in Central and South America. unique roles which Scripps, Gonzaga, and Georgetown played in These were very positive preparing her, and she is quick to mention her “good fortune” at experiences that nurtured her having so many things in her life that “just seemed to work out ambition to enter the field of well.” She is less inclined to talk about her own role in creating international relations. In those good outcomes. She doesn’t dwell on her strong work ethic, pursuit of this goal, she Bridget Harris ’79 the courage she demonstrated in taking on new challenges, and her attended Georgetown extraordinary ability to master complex areas of business and law University where she earned “on the fly.” If the past is truly prologue, there is every reason to her degree from the School of Foreign Service. After graduation, expect that these same personal qualities and abilities will continue she decided to attend law school. Although her father was a lawyer, to bring Molly McQueen “good fortune” for many decades to Bridget had no intention of practicing law. She simply felt that a come. law degree would be the perfect educational compliment for anyone entering her intended field of diplomacy and international relations. Bridget arrived on campus in 1976 and endured the mild Bridget (McInerney) Harris ’79 transitional shock one might expect for someone who had lived most of their life in major cities. She liked Spokane and enjoyed and L. Randolph (Randy) the camaraderie of the Law School students. The more personal atmosphere she encountered was certainly a marked change from Harris ’78 the environment of a large university like Georgetown. Washington, D.C. Although she had experience in many areas, Bridget discov- ered she was lacking one skill that seemed to be a staple activity of n the third floor of the Law School building, next to a her peers – she couldn’t play pool. One afternoon she set out with case filled with trophies, citations, and other awards, is her roommate, Julie Twyford, to rectify this deficiency at the Bull a plaque listing 21 Gonzaga Law graduates who have Dog Tavern. Unaware of traditional player protocol, Bridget laid O held clerkship positions with the United States Tax five quarters on the table to ensure she got enough consecutive Court. The recognition of these clerks is truly appropriate because games to really learn something. Fortunately for her, the next they are among the very few selected from a national pool of player up was Randy Harris who did not object in the least to her highly qualified applicants in a highly competitive process. To be guileless attempt to monopolize the table. By the end of the fifth a clerk for this court is a great honor and a privilege. The first two game, their friendship had begun. names listed on this plaque are those of Randolph and Bridget Harris. They are not only the first Gonzaga graduates to hold these positions; they are also the first husband and wife ever to clerk Bridget & Randy Harris ’78 with the court. Washington, D.C. One was from the east coast and the other from the west, and neither had any thought of a career in tax until they encountered
Gary Randall, Gonzaga’s legendary tax master, who had the uncanny ability of introducing unsuspecting law students to the At this point, Randy was in his second year. In addition to his wonders of Title 26 of the United States Code. law classes he was also working as a Rule 9 intern with the local Randy Harris was the first to arrive at Gonzaga. He came in law firm of Fish, Schultz and Tombari. It was a terrific learning 1975 after traveling the country and working to save money for his experience for Randy who remembers the trio of Jim Fish, Stan graduate education. The idea of law school had begun to grow on Schultz and Bill Tombari as great legal mentors. During his time him when he was pursuing his degree in political science at with the firm, Randy received wide-ranging exposure to the Mansfield State College. With two parents who were teachers, practice of law, handling matters as diverse as incorporations, real Randy certainly valued education but he had had no significant estate transactions and DUI defense work. contact with lawyers. As far as the profession was concerned, he It was also in this second year that Randy first encountered

THE LAWYER SUMMER 2004 – 21 ALUMNI PROFILES

Gary Randall. He saw in Professor Randall an extraordinary The following month, Bridget began her classes at Georgetown teacher and communicator who had a unique ability to enthuse the and part-time work for a D.C. law firm. In September there was class. Randy not only enjoyed going to class but he developed a an unexpected opening for a clerkship on the Tax Court. Bridget real affinity for statutory analysis and the order he found in the applied and was accepted. Now both husband and wife were code. Once tax caught his attention he took every course he could. totally immersed in tax, spending their days at the U.S. Tax Court He also began thinking about Gary Randall’s recommendation that and their evenings across the street taking graduate tax courses at he take his tax education to the next level by pursuing an LL.M. Georgetown. Weekends were most always spent with a good Good fortune came Randy’s way late in that second year friend from law school, Michael Boland ’78, and his wife, when an acquaintance suggested he meet a friend who was in Debbie. town. The friend was Judge Randolph Caldwell of the U.S. Tax For Bridget and Randy, their clerkships with the Court were Court who was in Spokane hearing cases. Over dinner with the truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences of inestimable value. Their judge, Randy learned more about the Tax Court. His interest grew. judges proved to be exceptional mentors who not only gave them Later he spoke with Gary Randall who encouraged him to apply. good counsel but also great responsibility in researching and Randy knew he would have to work following graduation, so he initial drafting of opinions. To assist them in their research, the applied and was accepted for the term beginning in September of Court made every imaginable resource available to them. The 1979. Once the clerkship was offered he decided on the variety of cases gave them a broad exposure to the tax law and Georgetown tax program for his LL.M. this established a remarkable foundation for their legal careers. While Randy was thinking about Washington, Bridget was By the fall of 1981, the Harrises had completed their having her own particular tax epiphany. She claims that math is not clerkships with the Court and their LL.M. studies. They returned her strong suit, so she was genuinely surprised with her own to Oakland, California to begin their practices. However, it would interest and growing competency in tax. Tax soon became her be nearly 15 years before they would work together again as favorite class and Gary Randall her favorite teacher. She said that professionals. he never forgot the name of Randy went to work for a seven-lawyer firm specializing in any student and he always construction litigation. While he did some litigation, Randy’s managed to keep the class main role was as the firm’s tax and business law specialist. interesting and enjoyable. Within four years he became a partner in the firm. “Gary Randall.” she says, Bridget hired on with Crosby, Heafey, Roach & May, a 60- “made me want to succeed plus member firm in Oakland. She started in the firm’s business even if he deliberately department where she handled a wide range of business matters referred to me as Ginger.” including real estate transactions, corporate and partnership work, When she wasn’t going to and estate planning. During her tenure with the firm, Bridget had class or interning at the law the couple’s first two children. firm of Lukin & Annis in In 1985, she moved to the Oakland office of Thelen, Marin, Spokane, Bridget was Johnson and Bridges, a San Francisco law firm of several studying. That commitment hundred attorneys. At Thelen, Bridget focused almost exclusively to her studies intensified in on tax and estate planning matters and also managed to have her her third year when she third and fourth children. She and Randy actively shared in child Randy Harris ’78 decided to obtain her LL.M care during these years. Since tax practice is largely transactional in tax. in nature, Bridget believes that it has been easier for them to After her graduation in May of 1979, Bridget returned to accommodate the demands of home and family life. She says the California to study for the bar. Randy, who had already taken and planning and scheduling aspects of tax markedly reduce the passed the Washington Bar, decided he also wanted to be licensed crises which are so frequently a part of law practice. in California. Two weeks before the bar, Randy showed up in In 1992, two years after her youngest child was born, Oakland, and, using Bridget’s notes, he began a crash course on Bridget joined Randy at his firm. In 1995, the two ventured out California law. He took the exam and headed off to Washington, on their own, forming Harris and Harris, a practice dedicated to D.C. When the bar results were published in the paper, the name of business transactions and estate planning. Today they have a Randolf Harris was missing from the list of those who had passed. thriving firm of five attorneys and two paralegals, located in Bridget gave the bad news to Randy, but he wasn’t fazed in the downtown Oakland. Bridget’s practice focuses on estate least. “An error of omission,” he asserted. Bridget was amazed at planning, trusts, partnerships, LLCs and general business, while his confidence if not his grasp of reality. However, she checked Randy is involved with business transactions, especially the with the bar and discovered that it was, in fact, an inadvertent purchase, sale and mergers of large companies. omission. Randy Harris had passed the California Bar. In its eight years, the firm’s practice has grown in both During the first months of Randy’s clerkship, Bridget worked volume and sophistication. Bridget and Randy relish the in Oakland. In May of that year, Randy and Bridget were married. challenge this change has created. Even with their emphasis on

THE LAWYER SUMMER 2004 – 22 ALUMNI PROFILES specialties, they enjoy remarkable variety in their work. They serve Within a few years, Vilarello’s mother remarried and moved many overseas clients, especially Pacific Rim businesses, as well as the family to Michigan. He attended first and second grades in a wide range of professional and commercial clients. Their client list Detroit public schools. Thereafter, his family returned to the includes, among others, people in the music industry, wineries, hotel Miami area. They preferred the warmer weather and familiar chains, restaurants, import-export firms and sports franchise owners. environs of South Florida. Today, more than ever, Bridget and Randy value the broad Vilarello continued his education in Florida. While attending educational and work experiences they enjoyed in their earlier years. Coral Gables High School, he began to think seriously about a It gave them a breadth of perspective that has served them and their career in law. He had an older step-brother who was an attorney, clients well. They are specialists but with strong generalist founda- and one of his most inspiring teachers was also studying to be a tions. This helps them spot a wide range of critical issues and to lawyer. He was further understand important interrelationships among the various elements influenced by the cultural of complex transactions. No matter how narrow and technical an mind-set of many Cuban issue might be, they are able to put it in the context of the bigger families who valued picture. Throughout the years Bridget and Randy have stayed in education as an asset that touch with Gary Randall, always mindful that “Gary’s enthusiasm could not be taken away - was the catalyst that ignited our interest in tax law.” even by the government. Balance between career and family has not been easy, but With law school in mind, Randy and Bridget Harris appear to have kept their priorities in Vilarello chose to major in order. Today they have their ideal law practice located a mere seven American Studies at the minutes from their home. While their oldest son Cornelius and their University of South daughter Elizabeth are off at college, fifteen-year-old Liam and Florida. The program, eleven-year-old Dermot remain at home. Over the years, Randy and which focused on U.S. Bridget have abided by a long standing practice—they never talk history and English about law or careers at home. When they are at home, there are literature, placed great simply too many other important things to do. emphasis on reading and Since Randy and Bridget clerked at the U.S. Tax Court, there Alex Vilarello ’82 writing – two skills which have been 19 other Gonzaga Law graduates who have followed in are essential for success in their footsteps. In a very real way, each of the 19 owes a debt: first law school. and foremost to Gary Randall but also to Bridget and Randy Harris. The summer after his graduation from college, Vilarello By their efforts, Bridget and Randy set the tone and established a explored all the regions of his adopted homeland. In traveling reputation for integrity, competence, and hard work that continues to around the country he decided that he wanted to move out West. this day. It is a reputation that reflects most favorably on their alma This desire, coupled with a firm intent to practice law, explains mater and on those Gonzaga graduates who have also aspired to why he wound up on the Gonzaga campus in late August of 1979. those very special clerkships with the United States Tax Court. Spokane proved to be somewhat of a revelation to this young Cuban-American. Not only was the weather different, so were the people and the pace of life. He noticed that in Spokane, a car stuck in traffic would often get help from passing motorists; in Alejandro (Alex) Vilarello ’82 Miami the same situation would often cause honking horns and Miami, Florida shouted expletives. Although he knew no one when he arrived, Vilarello quickly hen he looks back on his early childhood, Alejandro made friends. Steve Lingenbrink, a future classmate who Vilarello cannot help but appreciate how far he and occupied the apartment above him, made him feel welcome. his family have come to find their places in their Before long he had met classmates Steve Sheehy, Dave Draper, adopted country. A native of Havana, Cuba, Vilarello Steve Thorsrud, Mark Mostul, and Steve Lamberson, who W became part of a core group that shared study, social, and was three years old when his father was killed during the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961. His family had assumed that the anti- recreation time over the next three years. Castro forces, backed by the United States, would persevere so they Vilarello distinctly recalls his first year law studies at remained in Havana awaiting their liberation. But it was tragedy not Gonzaga. He fondly remembers Vern Davidson’s contracts as his liberation that came. They were forced to leave Cuba during the brief window of time when regular flights continued to operate between Alex Vilarello ’82 Havana and the U.S. mainland. Vilarello’s mother, who did not Miami, Florida speak English, his older brother, aunt, uncle, and his grandmothers, arrived in Miami sustained by the hope of starting a new life.

THE LAWYER SUMMER 2004 – 23 ALUMNI PROFILES most memorable and entertaining class. He noted that Vern loved a city in the throws of deep financial and political crisis, many Vilarello’s lyrical name and enjoyed letting the properly close friends, who had his best interests at heart, advised him not accented words “Alejandro Vilarello” roll off his tongue. to take the position. Political scandals and financial irregularities Vilarello was frequently called on in class, especially when were rampant. The state had stepped in and created an oversight Professor Davidson forgot the seating chart. An unintended board to manage the city’s finances. The City Attorney’s office byproduct of this was Vilarello’s proficiency in contract law. He reflected the turmoil engulfing the city. Vilarello was facing a knew that in a pinch he would be called on, so he made sure he challenge of immense proportions. Politics were tainting the was always prepared. legal advice given to elected officials and city administrators. In his third year, Vilarello joined the Clinic where he There was a breakdown in communications and a complete lack worked with Mark Wilson, George Critchlow, Larry Weiser, and of trust between offices. Vilarello did not underestimate the Bonnie White. The clinic was one of his most valued experi- challenge, but he had confidence in his plan of action and a ences in law school. He developed practical skills which gave belief that he had the leadership skills needed to turn things him a feel for the practice of law. around. In spite of a busy schedule, Vilarello managed to find time Vilarello laid down strict rules that prohibited his lawyers for relaxation. A member of a high school championship soccer from engaging in any political activity connected to elected city team in Florida, he enjoyed participating in the area’s soccer officials or any issues that could impact the city. He also leagues. In the winter, he went to area ski slopes with his friends. required the Department to speak with one voice – and that His law school experience, which began with such great voice was to be his. No longer would city officials get inconsis- trepidation for Vilarello, ended with a wonderful sense of tent legal advice shaped by political considerations. Vilarello enjoyment and satisfaction. “It was a great and very meaningful also instituted administrative reforms that increased efficiency. three years,” said Vilarello, “I wouldn’t hesitate for a second if I It took nearly three years, but Vilarello righted the ship by had the chance to make the same decision over again.” cleaning up the office, restoring trust relationships, and creating Although he loved the Pacific Northwest, Vilarello found changes that enabled the department to operate like a well-run the call to family and home too strong to resist. After his law firm, not a ponderous and politically-motivated bureaucracy. graduation in May of 1982, he returned to Miami where he A good measure of his success is the fact that he was unani- prepared for the Florida bar and began his job search. Both mously reappointed as City Attorney after each of the last two endeavors proved successful. mayoral elections. He interviewed with two potential employers, the Miami Having met the most pressing challenges, Vilarello truly City Attorney’s Office and Miami Legal Services. The former began to enjoy his work. For him, this has been a dream job. He had no openings at the time but Legal Services offered him a likes working for what is essentially a $500 million dollar position. A year later the Miami City Attorney’s office called him enterprise with a substantial and diverse legal pratice that when a position became available. Vilarello accepted and began includes significant labor and tort issues as well as financial and a seven-year tenure with the office. property management concerns. Every day, he expects five to He began by doing routine transactional work on city fifteen different legal issues to come across his desk. His office contracts. Being anxious to go to court, he pressed his superiors is a fast-paced work environment with 30 lawyers coming in to for a more active role in litigation. His request was granted. He discuss a wide range of legal matters. was assigned to the litigation department where he dealt with It has been an exciting and interesting several years for police torts and civil rights matters, as well as premises and auto Vilarello, but change is now on his horizon. Throughout his liability. In time, his skill and work ethic were recognized and he professional career Vilarello has always been energized by new was appointed Chief Assistant City Attorney in charge of challenges. He simply is not content administering the “status litigation. quo.” This summer he will take on a new role when he joins Vilarello continued to look for every opportunity to learn, Akerman Senterfitt, a 400 member law firm, as a shareholder. At and to expand the scope of his responsibilities. An opportunity Akerman Senterfitt, he will be specializing in two areas where came his way in 1990 when he was selected as City Attorney for he has significant experience – real estate, and land use Hialeah, the state’s fifth largest city. In Hialeah he inherited a planning. It will be a new challenge, but one that will allow small legal department that contracted much of the city’s legal Vilarello more time to spend with wife Beth and sons – Michael work out to private firms. Over the next eight years, he built the 21, Jordan 18, and Brandon 8. department into a well functioning unit of eight lawyers and an Alex Vilarello will leave government with a well-deserved equal number of support staff who handled all of the city’s legal sense of accomplishment for all he has done for the City of work. In addition to directing the city’s legal office, Vilarello Miami and its citizens. He has earned his reputation as a good was also given responsibility for Hialeah’s Risk Management lawyer, an excellent administrator and an honest public servant. Operations. He has every reason to reflect proudly on how far he has come. In 1998, Vilarello was given the chance to return to the City of Miami law department, as City Attorney. Because Miami was

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