Page 37 - Briefcase Volume 36 Number 2

“Similar to working for Dr. DeBakey, it was very fascinating In retirement, Quackenbush recently relied on her resiliency
work. I finally got the courage to take the LSAT and applied to and determination to overcome the odds once more when she
the University of Houston Law Center.” was diagnosed with sepsis in May 2017. Sepsis is an illness
Quackenbush began law school in 1971, and her caused by the body’s response to an infection that can lead to
accolades included several American Jurisprudence awards severe complications or death. Quackenbush has undergone 11
and membership in Order of the Barons. Her law school surgeries, eight hospitalizations and amputations of her hands
experience as a member of the Class of ’75 helped her become and all toes on her feet — but that has not stopped her tenacity
a trailblazer among the local legal community as one of the for life.
earliest women attorneys to practice transactional law in the “I wasn’t expected to live,” she said. “I was in a coma for
Houston area. about 10 days and the ICU for almost a month. My husband
“I was a night student and worked 40 to 50 hours a week,” had arranged for my funeral and told our family and friends to
Quackenbush said. “There were just a few women in each come say their goodbyes.”
of my classes, but by the time I On the morning she was
graduated, 20 to 30 percent of the scheduled to be taken off life
entry classes were female. A big “Relationships are so support, David Quackenbush made
change started to occur by the mid a final attempt to see if his wife
70s in the number of female law important when you’re would respond to him.
students and lawyers.” “I had trouble opening my eyes,
Upon graduation, Quackenbush but I could hear him,” Quackenbush
had several job offers but decided practicing law.” said. “He said: ‘Do you know who I
to accept a position as the third am?’ I shook my head. Then he said:
woman attorney at Vinson & ‘Tell me how old you are, and shake
Elkins. She then switched to the your head when I get to your age.’
banking section, which predominantly handled real estate He got to my age, and I shook my head.
finance. Quackenbush would remain there for nine years. “Needless to say, my husband told the doctors not to
On Jan. 5, 1980, Quackenbush married David Quackenbush discontinue all life support. It was quite a miracle that I
from Mobile, Ala., who was the son of her parents’ friends. On survived. It was that close.”
Nov. 14, 1980, the Quackenbushes had their first child, and a Quackenbush said she is thankful to the sepsis awareness
second son was born July 15, 1982. She was the first woman program at Methodist Hospital. Dr. Deepa Gotur and the
attorney to have children at Vinson & Elkins, and there were Quackenbushes shared her survival journey in a video that was
no maternity policies in place at the time. produced by the hospital. (The video can be accessed online at:
From 1984-1993, Quackenbush was a partner at several https://vimeo.com/231578576.)
boutique law firms in Houston. She went on to serve as vice The Quackenbush’s near-death experience made them
president and assistant general counsel for Mellon Mortgage stronger and even more dedicated to supporting causes they
Co. and ultimately became the team lead for Global Real Estate care about. They continue to cherish life and pay it forward
and Facilities law at ExxonMobil before retiring in 2011. with their generosity to the Houston Boychoir, St. Martin’s
Part of her career was chronicled in the 2008 book, “Rough Episcopal Church, Birmingham-Southern College and the Law
Road to Justice: The Journey of Women Lawyers in Texas” by Center.
Betty Trapp Chapman. The Quackenbushs have supported the Law Center for more
“I loved both the in-house jobs as well as the law firm jobs,” than two decades and thanks to their thoughtful inclusion
Quackenbush said. “I had a great experience and made a lot of the school in their estate planning, will continue to do so.
of friends. In fact, I formed a lunch group of former Vinson & Their legacy will continue to make a difference in perpetuity
Elkins female attorneys and another group called ‘Women In from the Endowed David & Barbara Quackenbush Fellowship
Real Estate and Finance.’ This latter group provided a network from a planned estate gift to benefit future generations of
for women in real estate and finance and included attorneys, women and minorities.
bankers, realtors and more. “We would like to leave a mark,” Quackenbush said. “Each
“I had wonderful clients. Relationships are so important of those institutions stood out in my life and were important
when you’re practicing law. It was very satisfying to have to me,” Quackenbush said. “My law school experience was so
repeat clients who would follow me throughout my career. It important in propelling me to a great career, particularly as a
was just a wonderful experience overall.” night student. It was just outstanding.” ■

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