Marty Loesch

loesch

Education

  • M.A., University of Notre Dame, International Peace Studies, ‘94
  • LL.M., University of Notre Dame, International Human Rights, ‘92
  • J.D., Notre Dame Law School, ‘91
  • B.A., University of Notre Dame, Program of Liberal Studies and Music, ‘87

Extracurricular Activities While at NDLS

  • Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy – Editor-in-Chief
  • Thomas J. White Scholar
  • Student representative to Loan Assistance Committee
  • Appointed to Presidential Task Force
  • Student/Faculty Liaison Committee elected representative

Employment

Chief of Staff for Washington Governor Chris Gregoire

Insights Regarding My Area of Practice

  • Tribal governments face numerous challenges today. Tribal governments serve a population with significant social needs, with limited revenues, in a cultural context that is often difficult to understand by non-tribal members. These are also exciting times for tribal governments as previously elusive economic opportunities are now becoming available and tribal self-determination and sovereignty are gaining wider acceptance. Tribal attorneys support the full range of social services and utilities provided by the government, regulatory and enforcement functions, economic development initiatives, and inter-governmental outreach. Tribal attorneys also defend rights guaranteed by treaty and inherent tribal sovereignty as they are challenged by other interests. It’s non-stop action. Also, I get to wear jeans to work and I occasionally get paid in fish when I moonlight doing work for tribal families.

Volunteer/Pro Bono Work

  • Republika Srpska Municipal Elections Supervisor on behalf of United Nations Volunteers and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
  • Bosnia & Hercegovina Federal Elections Supervisor on behalf of United Nations Volunteers and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
  • South African Elections District Counting Monitor for Independent Electoral Commission Assistant District Counting Monitor and Peace Monitor for Western Cape Peace Secretariat
  • Seattle Emergency Housing Volunteer Attorney
  • Washington State Bar Association Civil Rights Committee – 1999-2001, 1994-1997
  • University of Notre Dame – Institute for Church Life Advisory Council – 1993-present
  • Washington Wilderness Coalition – Board of Directors, 1994-presesnt, President – 1996-2000
  • Skagit Land Trust – Board of Directors – 1999 – 2002
  • Washington Citizens for Resource Conservation – Board of Directors – 1994-1997

On How NDLS has Shaped My Desire to Positively Affect Others’ Lives Through Legal Practice:

“I believe in heroes and I believe that most of the lessons we really learn in life come from the heroism we see in others. Many people who I studied with, or enjoyed lectures by or read about while at Notre Dame s Law School provide the examples by which I strive to live and to practice law today. Friends in class, teachers, administrators, Holy Cross priests, visiting scholars and lecturers have all helped form the way I view the world and how I understand myself as a lawyer. Most essentially, all of them in some way encouraged me to see the law as a profession, as a vocation that is only as good as it is beneficial to the world and people around us.”

On NDLS Professional Network:

“Notre Dame lawyers stick by each other and are committed to helping each other. I believe that Notre Dame’s sense of history and mission contributes to the strength of this network. In hearing about the administrators, teachers and students who came before us, we come to understand that we are part of a continuum, a historical current. Those in front of us, help us along and so we reach back to help those to come. I have called on Notre Dame lawyers many times throughout my career, even those I have never met, and have never been turned down in my request for aid. Not once.”

On Classmates:

“My Notre Dame Law School classmates remain among my closest friends. Some, I talk to or e-mail weekly. With others, I just exchange holiday cards and occasional calls. Others, I only admire from afar and remember fondly our days together. All of them continue to support me in my work through their example and the stories of their lives as recorded in the Alumni magazine and the updates we pass on about each other.”

On the Legal Community’s Perception of NDLS Lawyers:

“I suspect most of us would say Notre Dame Lawyers are the best in the business. In different parts of the country, Notre Dame is perceived differently. When I first started practice in Seattle, there were only a few of us out here. We were rare birds. Now, there are quite a few. In other parts of the country, Notre Dame Lawyers are everywhere. In general, I believe that Notre Dame lawyers, like the law school, are highly regarded both for their professional skills and the sense that we are well-grounded, well-rounded people.”