John Hoerster is a Public Service Counsel for the firm.  He helps lead the firm’s Next Chapter program under which senior lawyers provide pro bono legal and community services, serves on the firm’s Pro Bono and Community Service Committee, and personally provides public service.  John was a member of the firm from 1971 until 2010, serving as general outside counsel for clients in the maritime, transportation and nonprofit healthcare industries, while focusing in the legal areas of corporate governance and mergers & acquisitions. He also served as Chairman and Managing Director of the firm for 20 years, most recently from 2000 through 2009. John was an architect of the firm’s public service program beginning in the 1970’s, and has always been an active public service participant.  In 2010, John joined Saltchuk Resources as Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Chief Ethics Officer, where he helped lead Saltchuk’s acquisition, corporate governance, ethics & compliance, risk management, and government affairs programs.  John retired from Saltchuk at the end of 2016 and returned to the firm as Public Service Counsel.

Professional Activities

• Garvey Schubert Barer
  • Chair, 2000-2009 and 1992-1994
  • Managing Director, 1980, 1985-1991, 2000-2009
• Saltchuk Resources, Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Chief Ethics Officer, 2010-2016
• VISTA lawyer, 1969-1970, and Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Fellow, 1970-1971

Community Activities

• Athletes for a Better World, Chair Emeritus and Honorary Lifetime Board Member
• Endowment for Equal Justice
  • Board Member, 2012-present
  • President, 2015-2021
  • Vice President, 2022-present
• PILnet, Board Member, 2021-present
• St. Mark’s Cathedral, Chancellor, 2000-2019, and Chancellor Emeritus, 2020-present
• University of Washington, Evans School of Public Policy & Governance
  • Advisory Board, 2000-2021, and Evans Ambassadors, 2021-present
  • Board Chair, 2012-2019 and Chair Emeritus, 2020-present