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]