Joseph J. McFadden

Joseph James McFadden (May 3, 1916 – November 28, 1991)[1] was chief justice of the Idaho Supreme Court, and served on the court from 1959 to 1982.[2]

Born in Boise, Idaho, McFadden went to high school in Hailey, did pre-law studies in Pocatello, and attended the University of Idaho College of Law in Moscow for two years.[3][4]

McFadden then became a court reporter for judge Doran Sutphen of the Idaho 4th Judicial District, in Gooding, under whom McFadden continued his legal studies, gaining admission to the bar in Idaho in 1940.[3] He then entered the practice of law in Hailey,[5] leaving for two years to serve in the military during World War II, from 1944 to 1946.[5][3]

After the war, McFadden returned to Hailey, and the following year, after the death of his father, was elected to the position his father had held of Blaine County prosecutor.[3]

In 1959, Governor Robert E. Smylie appointed McFadden to the Idaho Supreme Court; the seat was vacated by the death of Chief Justice James W. Porter.[3] McFadden was re-elected to the court in 1960,[6] 1966,[7] 1972,[8] and 1978, then resigned from the court on August 31, 1982,[5] continuing to hear cases by designation until his death.[3]

He died in a hospital in Boise.[3]

  1. ^ Who's Who in American Law (2nd ed.). Marquis Who's Who. 1979. p. 595.
  2. ^ "McFadden leaving Idaho Supreme Court". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. June 3, 1982. p. 2C.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Former state chief justice dies at 75", The Twin Falls Times-News (November 30, 1991), p. A-10.
  4. ^ "Seniors". Gem of the Mountains. University of Idaho yearbook. 1937. p. 196.
  5. ^ a b c "Justice McFadden resigns", Twin Falls The Times-News" (June 4, 1982), p. A-5.
  6. ^ "To Seek Term", Idaho State Journal (June 2, 1966), p. 17.
  7. ^ "Canvass of votes", The Twin Falls Times-News (September 8, 1966), p. 20.
  8. ^ "Idaho jurist is re-elected", Idaho Free Press (September 20, 1972), p. A1.