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United States District Court Oral History Project Kester, Randall B., 1916-2012 Series
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Oral history interview with Randall B. Kester

This oral history interview with Randall B. Kester was conducted by Donna L. Sinclair from February 21 to May 11, 2005, at Kester's office in Portland, Oregon, as part of the United States District Court Oral History Project. The interview was conducted in three sessions and a transcript is available. Part of Session 3 was recorded on both audiocassette and videocassette.

In the first interview session, conducted on February 21, 2005, Kester discusses his family background and early life, particularly focusing on his mother. He also talks about the families and careers of his siblings. He speaks about his marriage to Rachael Woodhouse and talks about raising a family. He discusses his hobbies of hiking and mountain climbing; shares his reasons for returning to Oregon after earning his law degree; and speaks about his early career as a lawyer in the 1940s. He then speaks at length about his career as general solicitor for the Union Pacific Railroad. He talks about cases he tried, about the railroading business, and about safety regulations.

In the second interview session, conducted on March 31, 2005, Kester discusses his involvement with the Forest Service Reserves during World War II. He also describes witnessing a fatal climbing accident on Mount Hood. He speaks at length about constitutional law cases he worked on while a lawyer with Maguire, Shields, Morrison, Bailey & Kester, particularly Yasui v. United States. He also talks about U.S. District Court of Oregon judges that he argued before, about laws regarding jury selection, and about the process of settling cases.

In the third interview session, conducted on May 11, 2005, Kester discusses his involvement with the Oregon State Bar's continuing legal education program. He speaks about his brief service as a justice on the Oregon Supreme Court from 1957 to 1958, including his appointment to the bench, and opinions that he wrote. He reflects on cases he worked on both as a judge and a lawyer that have had lasting effects on the field of law. He discusses the differences among the different court circuits in Oregon; talks about challenges to Oregon's land-use laws; and shares his reasons for retiring from the Supreme Court. He closes the interview by discussing the origins of the U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society, and the history of his law firm.

Kester, Randall B., 1916-2012

Oral history interview with Randall B. Kester

This oral history interview with Randall B. Kester was conducted by Tom B. Stoel, Jr. at Kester's office in Portland, Oregon, from April 2-14, 1992. Throughout the interview, supplemental items are referenced. These items are part of the related U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society Collection, Coll 560.

In this interview, Kester discusses his family background and early life in Bloomington, Wisconsin, and in Ontario, Oregon. He talks about attending Willamette University during the Depression, including his social life, some of his professors, and his involvement in student government. He then talks about attending the Columbia University Law School in New York, including some of his classes and professors. He discusses returning to Oregon to practice law in Portland, including taking the Oregon bar exam. He talks about his marriage to Rachael Woodhouse and describes the law firm of Maguire, Shields & Morrison. He talks about arguing cases in the U.S. District Court of Oregon, particularly before Judge James Alger Fee. He also describes some of the cases he handled.

While Kester does not discuss his time as a justice on the Oregon Supreme Court from 1957 to 1958, an incomplete transcript of the interview contains a brief description of that period of his life.

Kester discusses serving as general solicitor for the Union Pacific Railroad from 1958 to 1979. He talks about some of the cases he handled for the company, including the acquisition of the Portland Traction Company. He also discusses other cases he handled, including his involvement in Yasui v. United States. He also talks about judges he argued before, including Hall Lusk and Claude McColloch. He talks about his involvement with various Oregon Bar committees and other civic organizations. He also talks about his involvement with the Mazamas and his other outdoor activities. He closes the interview by speaking again about his work as general solicitor for Union Pacific.

Kester, Randall B., 1916-2012