Posted on: Monday, July 26, 2004
1916-2004
Marshall Goodsill, corporate securities lawyer, dead at 87
Advertiser Staff
Marshall M. Goodsill, a nationally recognized attorney in corporate securities and tax law who practiced in Hawai'i for more than five decades, died Saturday in Honolulu. He was 87.
He was an attorney of "impeccable integrity" who set a high standard for "competence, service and integrity," said Gov. Linda Lingle in presenting Goodsill with a commendation for exceptional community service earlier this year.
Born in Illinois and a graduate of the University of Minnesota and Harvard Law School (1940), Goodsill came to Hawai'i in June 1941 to join the firm then known as Anderson, Wrenn & Jenks.
On December 8, 1941, after just six months with the firm, Goodsill was called to duty as a Navy Reserve Officer and served as an intelligence officer in Germany and Japan. He remained on duty after World War II to implement the land reform and decentralization processes that established the basis for democratic governments in both nations.
Among his service medals are citations for the Bronze Star, Order of the British Empire and the Victory Medal.
Goodsill returned to the law firm in 1946 and practiced for the next 40 years, becoming one of the state's most distinguished attorneys. He was a nationally recognized expert in corporate securities, corporate reorganization, public utilities and tax practice.
Among the firm's well-known clients were Bank of Hawaii, C. Brewer & Co., Castle & Cooke, Hawaiian Telephone, Hawaiian Electric, Dillingham Corp., and many others.
Goodsill was Honolulu's generally acknowledged master of public utilities law, representing utility companies many times in public hearings and court appearances.
"We are deeply saddened at the passing of a true friend and dedicated colleague," said Martin Anderson, a partner in Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel. "Marshall was a brilliant attorney recognized and respected not only for his legal expertise, but also for his sound judgment, wise advice and high principles."
Marshall and Ruth Caley Goodsill established and provided substantial initial funding for the Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel Endowment Fund at the University of Hawai'i William S. Richardson School of Law, which provides support for the professional development of law faculty in the areas of business, trust and tax law.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth; sons Curt and John; daughters Kay and Jane; and granddaughter, Annie.
Services are pending.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Honolulu Academy of Arts and the William S. Richardson School of Law.
Goodsill, a partner in the downtown firm Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel, was a Hawai'i pioneer in the use of tax-exempt bonds to help raise funds to develop key industries here, including electrical utilities.
Marshall M. Goodsill
