At McGuire, Dewulf, Kragt & Johnson, our team of seven knowledgeable attorneys, supported by dedicated paralegals, are proud to serve the communities of Eastern Washington. We are committed to delivering quality legal services in an efficient and reliable manner, ensuring that our clients receive the support they need in areas such as agricultural law, business law, water rights, elder planning, wills and estates.
Our team combines extensive legal knowledge with a deep appreciation for the local culture and economy, allowing us to provide tailored solutions that respect the values and needs of our community. Whether you're a farmer navigating water rights, a business owner looking to protect your assets, or a family planning for the future, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
We pride ourselves on our approachable and personalized service, building lasting relationships with our clients and their families. We believe in being more than just legal advisors; we aim to be trusted partners in your journey. With deep roots in rural life, we understand the unique challenges faced by our clients and strive to provide tailored solutions that meet their specific needs.
Firm History
The law firm of McGuire, DeWulf, Kragt and Johnson has its origins in Eastern Washington that dates back to the 1930’s. Fred Campbell and Floyd Underwood formed a partnership of Underwood Campbell in 1936 in Davenport, Washington. They practiced together until Floyd Underwood’s death. At that time the firm had grown and changed names from Underwood, Campbell and Zellmer to Underwood, Campbell, Brock and Cerutti. That firm practiced with four offices: Davenport, Spokane, Sprague and St.John until 1995.
In 1995, Brock, Carpenter and McGuire was formed out of the Davenport office separate from Spokane. It maintained an office in St.John and then purchased the Laurence Libsack office in Odessa with Laurence continuing as “of Counsel” until his death. In 1998, the firm expanded to include the purchase of the practice of long-time Ritzville practitioners Walt Miller and Milt Sackmann. The firm then became Brock, Carpenter, McGuire and DeWulf. In 2005, the firm expanded to include the purchase of long-time Rosalia lawyer Don Sheahan’s practice.
In 2012, the law firm began a new course under the name Carpenter, McGuire and DeWulf with Ken Carpenter, Rusty McGuire and Mark DeWulf as partners. John Kragt began working in our office out of the Ritzville location and became a partner in 2017. In 2014, Matthew Johnson joined the firm and along with help of partners Rusty McGuire and John Kragt, expanded the firm into the Colfax market with a newly remodeled building. In 2016, Colfax attorney Gary Libey retired from private practice and the original office of Nuxoll, Libey and Ensley was moved to our new location where longtime Colfax attorney Bruce Ensley joined the firm as "of Counsel". Following Ken Carpenter's retirement in 2019, the firm transitioned to its current name, McGuire, DeWulf, Kragt and Johnson.