This oral history interview with Hugh Biggs was conducted by Clarence Wicks in the offices of Stoel, Rives, Boley, Jones & Grey in Portland, Oregon, from June 29 to July 2, 1988. The interview was conducted in three sessions, and a transcript is available.

In the first interview session, conducted on June 29, 1988, Biggs discusses his family background and early life in Ontario, Oregon, including his siblings and their careers, and his recreational activities. He briefly talks about his mother and his father, Dalton Biggs, who was a Circuit Court judge from 1910 to 1928. He speaks at length about working on his family's ranch in Bridal Veil, Oregon. He briefly talks about studying at the University of Oregon, including his years in law school and serving as dean of men.

In the second interview session, conducted on June 30, 1988, Biggs speaks further about his family background, including his grandfather, grandmother, and aunt. He continues to discuss serving as dean of men at the University of Oregon. He also briefly talks about his experience as a law student, his bar exam, and his law practice in Ontario. He speaks about his marriage to Elra Ware, and discusses their children and their careers. He talks about his experience as a district attorney in Malheur County and as an assistant U.S. attorney in Portland, Oregon. He talks about practicing law with the Maguire, Shields, and Morrison law firm, including cases they worked on. He shares his experiences during the Depression and World War II. He discusses clients he worked with, paticularly the Northern Pacific Railroad.

In the third interview session, conducted on July 2, 1988, Biggs speaks about insurance cases and medical malpractice cases he handled. He speaks about practicing law in Portland, particularly discussing Stoel, Rives, Boley, Jones & Grey and its history, and about lawyers he worked with. He discusses federal cases he worked on, including Perrin v. Aluminum Co. of America. He speaks at length about the judges on the U.S. District Court of Oregon. He closes the interview by discussing his involvement in professional organizations.

This oral history interview with Robert C. Belloni was conducted by Jim Strassmaier from September 19, 1988, to July 28, 1989. In this interview, Belloni discusses his family background and early life in Coos County, Oregon, including his education. He talks about studying pre-med at the University of Oregon and his service as a U.S. Army medical officer in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He describes landing in Japan just as it surrendered. He talks about returning to civilian life and deciding to go to law school, attending the University of Oregon, and his friendship with Ted Goodwin. He discusses his early law career in Coos County. He also talks about his early political career, holding the offices of chair of the Democratic Central Committee for Coos County and mayor of Myrtle Point. He also talks about his relationship with Wayne Morse. He discusses serving as a Circuit Court judge in Southern Oregon from 1957 to 1967, particularly presiding over juvenile cases. He then discusses serving on the U.S. District Court of Oregon from 1967 to the time of the interview, including the politics of his appointment. He discusses his fellow District Court judges, including Gus Solomon, John Kilkenney, and Otto Skopil. He also talks about the variety of cases that came before him, including on land fraud, asbestos, consumer protections, and several cases involving Native American rights. He discusses his law clerks, judicial process, and ethics. Belloni discusses serving as chief judge on the District Court from 1971 to 1976, and the duties and responsibilities of that position, including his work in establishing the magistrate system and the sentencing council. He closes the interview by discussing changes in the court systems over the 20th century, his experience as a senior judge, and his personal life.

In addition to the audio recordings of the interview, this collection includes several photographs of Belloni and a signed photograph of Robert D. Holmes.

This oral history interview with Carol Hewitt was conducted by Susan Burton on August 24, 1990. The audio recording of this interview originally consisted of three audiocassettes. Tapes 1 and 2 are missing as of 2007, and the transcript reflects only the audio on Tape 3. In the portion of the interview on Tape 3, Hewitt discusses facing sexism as a woman lawyer and working at the law firm Lindsay Hart in Portland, Oregon. She then discusses her recent resignation from the Oregon Investment Council. She also discusses the growth of her law firm, Ater, Wynne, Hewitt, Dodson & Skerrit in Portland.

This oral history interview with David R. Williams was conducted by Elizabeth Reichow from December 16, 1991, to January 16, 1992. The interview was conducted in two sessions.

In the first interview session, conducted on December 16, 1991, Williams discusses his family background and early life in the Laurelhurst neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, including his educational background and work experiences as a carpenter. He talks about participating in sports in high school and at Reed College. He also speaks about his experiences serving in the U.S. Army in Italy during World War II. He speaks about his marriage to Donna Rockwell and talks about his family.

In the second interview session, conducted on January 16, 1992, Williams speaks at length about his childhood during the Depression, and shares his memories of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's visit to Portland. He speaks about Congressman Homer D. Angell; talks about his involvement with a Welsh singing group called "The Bohemians"; and discusses climbing Mount Hood and his interest in skiing. He then discusses his experience at Reed College, including the pro-German and pro-communist sentiment that was prevalent on campus in the lead-up to World War II. He also talks about the political situation in Russia in 1992. He revisits the topic of his service in the U.S. Army during World War II and his marriage to Donna Rockwell. He also talks about studying law at the University of Oregon. He closes the interview by describing the careers of his brothers.

This oral history interview with Cleveland C. Cory was conducted by George Fraser as part of the United States District Court Oral History Project. The interview was conducted in two sessions.

In the first interview session, conducted at Cory's home in Portland, Oregon, on June 19, 1990, Cory discusses his family background and early life in Englewood, New Jersey. He then discusses his college experience, including attending Yale Law School from 1940 to 1943. He talks about working for the Davis & Polk law firm in New York, including representing Prince Edward, the Duke of Windsor, as well as various railroads. He then discusses relocating to Oregon in 1949 and his reasons for doing so, including seeking an improved quality of life and the difficulty of becoming a partner at a New York law firm. He talks about his career at a law firm in Portland, now known as Stoel Rives, including many of the cases he tried. He also briefly discusses his renowned memory for cases.

In the second interview session, conducted at a later, unidentified date at the Crestview Convalescent Home in Portland, Oregon, where Cory was recovering from a broken shoulder, Cory further discusses his early employment in Portland.

This oral history interview with Bernard Jolles was conducted by Robert D. Bulkley, Jr. at Jolles' office in Portland, Oregon, from September 27, 1990, to April 22, 1991. In this interview, Jolles discusses his family background and early life in New York, including his Jewish upbringing and facing antisemitism; his education; and the Depression. He describes attending New York University and his growing interest in Marxism. He then discusses working in the New York Garment District and at the waterfront after graduation, and talks about his involvement with various unions. He describes being a communist during the height of the McCarthy era, as well as his reasons for leaving the Communist Party in 1956. Jolles discusses relocating to Oregon in 1957 and attending the Northwestern College of Law in Portland. He talks about working as an investigator for a personal injury lawyer after graduation and the trouble he had passing the bar exam due to his communist ties. He discusses his appeal to the Oregon Supreme Court of the Bar's decision to reject him.

Jolles discusses his career as a trial lawyer in Portland, including arguing cases before the federal and state courts, working with other lawyers, and some of the cases he tried. He briefly describes Judge Gus Solomon and other judges he argued before. He also discusses the types of cases he took, particularly those representing workers and labor unions. He talks about his own law firm, Jolles, Sokol, & Bernstein, formed in 1979; the changes in the profession over the decades; and his involvement with the A.C.L.U. and the Christic Institute. He closes the interview by talking about his involvement with the Oregon State Bar, including serving on the board of governors and as president.

This oral history interview with Wendell Gray was conducted by Elizabeth Reichow and James Strassmaier from January 7, 1992, to October 28, 1993. In the first part of this interview, conducted by Elizabeth Reichow on January 7, 1992, Gray discusses his family background and early life on a ranch in Prineville, Oregon. He discusses having to quit law school at the University of Oregon due to appendicitis, returning to Prineville and working various jobs, and then attending the Northwestern College of Law in Portland, Oregon. He talks about his early law career as an insurance investigator while he was in law school, and about foreclosing mortgages with his uncle, Guy LaFollette, during the Depression. He then discusses practicing maritime law and the many clients he represented in the Portland area, particularly during World War II. He also discusses a trip he and his wife, Jean Patrick, took to East Asia in 1964. He goes on to talk about many of the maritime cases he worked on and the clients he represented over his career, as well as the other maritime lawyer in Portland, Erskine Wood. He talks about being on the board of directors of the Family Life Insurance Company; real estate investments; and chairing the Portland Chamber of Commerce.

In 1992, Wendell Gray narrated three tapes on his own. On these tapes, he speaks at length about "interesting people," including Dale, Mac, and Sib Smith of the Smith Brothers Office Outfitters; Orren Brownson; and Tom Cummins. He also talks about serving on the Portland School Board from 1948 to 1956, including the sale of the Lincoln High School building in downtown Portland.

The final part of the interview was conducted by Jim Strassmaier at Gray's home in Portland from October 26-28, 1993. Diana Gray was also present. In this portion, Gray discusses his education at the University of Oregon from 1925 to 1928, including his social life, his involvement with the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and meeting his first wife, Jean Patrick. He then discusses some of his recreational activities, including his involvement with the Deschutes Club, golfing, and the various golf clubs in the Portland area. He discusses serving on the Portland School Board from 1948 to 1956, including his election, policies they adopted, funding, and construction of new school buildings. He also briefly talks about Judge Gus Solomon. He closes the interview by talking about his children and family life.

This oral history interview with Metta Beeman was conducted by Trudy Allen on February 29, 1992. In this interview, Beeman discusses her family background and early life in Ashland, Oregon. She talks about studying law at Willamette University and Northwestern College of Law. She talks about working for the Veterans Administration and some of the cases she handled. She discusses some of the sexism she faced in law school and in the workplace; other women attorneys; and the women's associations she has been involved with, including the Queen's Bench. She then discusses going into private practice, dealing in probate law, with her husband, Harry Baughman, and talks about serving on the State Employment Board.

This oral history interview with Neva Elliott was conducted by S. Diane Rynerson from April 10 to July 10, 1992, as part of the United States District Court Oral History Project. The interview was conducted in seven sessions. The audio for session 7 is missing; its contents are included in an incomplete transcript of the interview.

In the first interview session, conducted on April 10, 1992, Elliott discusses her family background and early life in Damascus, Oregon, including the store and dance hall that her parents operated, her family's farm, and her social life. She describes family vacations, and shares her memories of family homes in Twin Rocks, Oregon, and in the Irvington neighborhood of Portland. She talks about the impact the Great Depression had on her family. She discusses her experiences at Jefferson High School in Portland, including acting as public speaker for the school's community chest. She then talks about her love for writing, especially poetry. She shares why she decided to attend Reed College, and talks about what she studied.

In the second interview session, conducted on May 1, 1992, Elliott continues to discuss her experiences at Reed College, including her involvement in literary activities, a fast reading class she took and how it influenced her legal research, and her social life. She speaks at length about Reed College, including its reputation, social activities, and academic system. She then talks about her experience on the debate team, and particularly the Reed College Players, a student group that produced dramas. She also shares her memories about meeting James Beard through Reed College Players. She then talks about attending Northwestern College of Law in Portland while working as a secretary for Charles Spackman. She briefly talks about meeting her husband, Neil Chinnock, in law school. She discusses her early law career as a secretary for Frank Seaver, and as a court referee for U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Esta Snedeker. She talks about her experience as a lawyer, including bankruptcy cases and criminal cases. She also talks about starting her own law practice in Portland during World War II.

In the third interview session, conducted on May 15, 1992, Elliott shares her memories of appearing before Judge Alger Fee. She speaks at length about cases she worked on, including a criminal case she argued before Judge Robert S. Bain. She talks about the challenges she faced as a woman in the field of law. She also shares her memories of Judge Claude McCulloch. She then talks about her appointment as judge in the municipal court, and briefly discusses serving as a pro tem judge on the Multnomah County District Court.

In the fourth interview session, conducted on June 4, 1992, Elliott speaks at length about some of her cases as a lawyer, including being hired by a woman called as a witness against Chicago mobster Mickey Cohen, and the woman's subsequent murder. She talks about her involvement in several clubs, including the advertising club, about women attorneys she was acquainted with, and about handling her inheritance from her mother. She also talks about receiving an estate from a former client.

In the fifth interview session, conducted on June 26, 1992, Elliott speaks further about women lawyers she was acquainted with, including Shirley Field, Jean L. Lewis, and Helen Althaus. She also talks at length about Portland Mayor Dorothy McCullough Lee, and about Oregon's first woman judge, Mary Jane Spurlin. She discusses serving as chair of the Lewis and Clark College alumni class of 1935.

In the sixth interview session, conducted on July 10, 1992, Elliott talks about her involvement with several clubs and organizations, including the women's advertising club and the Advertisement Association of the West. She then talks about her friendship with Robert Gros, a retired vice president of Pacific Gas and Electric. She speaks at length about trips to Central America, India, and Europe. She also briefly discusses hearing about the death of John F. Kennedy during her travels, and shares her obsrvations of reactions to the news around the world. She then talks about her interest in Asian cultures and antiques, and describes her antique and book collections.

This oral history interview with Jerry C. Harris was conducted by Mary Ann DeLap on May 17, 2006. In this interview, Harris discusses coming to Portland, Oregon, from Colorado to meet his future wife, Zola M. Barnes. He talks about working as a court reporter for the Multnomah County courts and his experience as the only black court reporter for the county. He discusses moving to the federal court system and working for U.S. District Court Judge Gus Solomon. He also talks about working for other judges on the U.S. District Court of Oregon. He discusses the discrimination he's faced, his retirement activities, and some of the lawyers he worked with. He describes the process of court reporting, as well as how technology has changed the profession.

This oral history interview with John A. Jelderks was conducted by Donna Sinclair from December 19-27, 2006, and Jan Dilg from May 28 to September 16, 2009, as part of the United States District Court Oral History Project. The interview was conducted in five sessions. The first two sessions were recorded on audiocassette; Audiocassette 1 is missing, but its content is reflected in the interview transcript. The third and fourth sessions were recorded as digital audio files. The fifth session was recorded simultaneously as digital audio files and on videocassette; the audio files contain additional content.

In the first interview session, conducted on December 19, 2006, Jelderks discusses his family background and early life in Salem, Oregon, including his education, recreational activities, and summer jobs. He also shares his memories of life in Salem during World War II, including neighbors who fought in the war, and the U.S. government's incarceration of Japanese Americans.

In the second interview session, conducted on December 27, 2006, Jelderks discusses his experiences studying psychology and later law at Willamette University, including his involvement in a fraternity, his service in the Oregon Air National Guard and the U.S. Air Force Reserve, and some of his law school professors and classmates. He shares his opinion on sentencing guidelines, discusses how the practice of law changed, and briefly talks about his first marriage and raising a family. He talks about his experience as a law clerk for Oregon Supreme Court Justice Gordon Sloan and about his relationship with other justices. He talks about his career as a district attorney for Marion and Hood River counties, and talks about some of the cases he prosecuted, including a rape case.

In the third interview session, conducted on May 28, 2009, Jelderks continues to discuss his service as Hood River County district attorney from 1966 to 1971. He describes some of the cases he prosecuted, then discusses working as a lawyer in a private practice in Hood River for a short time. He speaks about serving as a judge in Oregon's 7th judicial district. He describes the appointment process, discusses adjusting to a judge's workload, and talks about his re-election campaigns. He also discusses his unsuccessful 1988 campaign for a seat on the Oregon Supreme Court. He talks about cases he heard, particularly domestic relations cases, and about writing decisions.

In the fourth interview session, conducted on August 20, 2009, Jelderks continues to discuss serving as a judge in Oregon's 7th judicial district. He speaks at length about hearing cases regarding the Rajneeshees. He then revisits the topic of his unsuccessful campaign for a seat on the Oregon Supreme Court. He talks about the changes in his family during the 1970s and 1980s, including his second marriage, and the death of one of his children in a car collision.

In the fifth and final interview session, conducted on September 16, 2009, Jelderks discusses his involvement with the Hood River Rotary Club. He speaks at length about serving as a magistrate judge for the U.S. District Court of Oregon from 1991 to the time of the interview. He describes the appointment process, discusses the role of magistrate judges in Oregon, and talks about judges he worked with. He describes the differences between the state and federal courts, and speaks at length about his decision in the Kennewick Man case, which regarded the custody of ancient Native American remains. He closes the interview by sharing his thoughts on restorative justice, on the concept of judicial activism, and on electing judges.

This oral history interview with Hans A. Linde was conducted in 23 sessions from January 15, 2002, to February 3, 2004, as part of the United States District Court of Oregon Oral History Project. Rick Harmon conducted sessions 1 and 2, and Michael O'Rourke conducted the remaining sessions. Sessions 1-3, 5-16, and 18-23 were conducted in Linde's office at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon; Session 4 was conducted at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland; and Session 17 was conducted at Linde's home in Salem.

In sessions 1-4, Linde discusses his family background and early life in a Jewish family in Berlin, Germany; talks about his adolescence in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 1933 to 1937; and talks about his high school experience in Portland, Oregon, after 1939. He describes his service in the U.S. Army during World War II, talks about his marriage to Helen Tucker, and discusses his experience at Reed College.

In sessions 5-10, Linde discusses his law school experience at the University of California, Berkeley. He speaks at length about working as a law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas from 1950 to 1951, including his experience living in Washington, D.C., law clerks he worked with, and cases he worked on. He discusses his work for the United Nations General Assembly from 1951 to 1953. He talks about teaching law at the University of Oregon in 1954 and about his experiences as U.S. Senator Richard Neuberger's legislative aide from 1955 to 1958. He also begins to discuss his career as a professor of law at the University of Oregon in Eugene from 1959 to 1976.

In sessions 11-14, Linde continues to speak about teaching law at the University of Oregon from 1959 to 1976. He talks about working as a visiting professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, and in Fribourg, Switzerland, and Hamburg, Germany.

In sessions 15-20, Linde discusses his service as a justice on the Oregon Supreme Court from 1977 to 1990. He talks about cases the court heard, about his 1984 re-election campaign, and about his fellow justices. He speaks about criminal justice and sentencing. He also discusses his health and talks about recoving from heart attacks and strokes during his time on the court. He speaks at length about his involvement with the American Law Institute, and talks about the ALI style manual.

In sessions 21-23, Linde discusses his activities since his retirement from the Oregon Supreme Court in 1990, including speaking engagements, consulting on law in Russia and China, and his involvement with Oregon Public Broadcasting. He speaks about a trip to Australia in 1996 and his experience having bypass surgery while in Australia. He discusses his involvement with the Oregon Law Commission from 1997 to the time of the interview. He discusses his role at Willamette University at the time of the interview, and talks about the development of the university's law school.

This oral history interview with Caroline P. Stoel was conducted by Adair Law from October 30 to December 5, 2006. Along with the interview recordings, the collection includes an incomplete transcript.

In this interview, Stoel discusses her family background and early life in Lexington, North Carolina, including her early education and childhood friends. She talks about attending Duke University, including her social life. She then talks about her experience as one the few women attending the Duke University Law School. She also discusses meeting Thomas B. Stoel and their subsequent marriage. She describes the sexism she faced when trying to begin her legal career in Portland, Oregon. She talks about working and raising young children while Thomas Stoel was serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She discusses her involvement in her children's education in the Riverdale School District; her acquaintanceship with Richard Nixon; and her decision to return to college. She closes the interview by talking about her children, their careers, and their families.

O'Scannlain discusses his family background and Irish heritage, his childhood in New York City, his education at St. John's Prep and Harvard, his involvement with the National Young Republicans and Trumpeters, his work as a lawyer in Portland, Oregon with the Dave Briggs firm (aka Stoel Rices) and Ragen, Roberts & O'Scannlain, his involvement in Republican politics and the Reagan administration, nuclear power, his appointment to the 9th Circuit Court, and some of the cases he oversaw while on that court.

Hogan discusses his family background and early life, his education, and his career as a lawyer and judge in Oregon. He also discusses some of the cases he worked on, including bankruptcy cases, and his work on the Wayne Morse Federal Courthouse.

This oral history interview with Edwin J. Peterson was conducted by Jeffrey C. Dobbins in Salem, Oregon, from August 21 to December 11, 2007, as part of the United States District Court of Oregon Oral History Project. The interview was conducted in thirteen sessions. Throughout the interview, Peterson refers to photographs and letters. Copies of some, but not all, of these items are included in the related U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society collection, Coll 560.

In the first interview session, conducted on August 21, 2007, Peterson discusses his family background in Gilmanton, Wisconsin, including the local creamery managed by his father; his childhood activities; and his early education. He also talks about his memories of rural life during World War II.

In the second interview session, conducted on August 28, 2007, Peterson continues to discuss his early life in Gilmanton, and his memories of life during World War II. He then discusses having asthma and moving to Oregon in 1944 in an effort to improve his health. He looks at photographs of his home and family in Gilmanton and discusses them.

In the third interview session, conducted on September 4, 2007, Peterson discusses his high school experience in Eugene, Oregon. He talks about studying music at the University of Oregon, including his social life and his summer activities.

In the fourth interview session, conducted on September 11, 2007, Peterson continues to discuss his college experiences at the University of Oregon, including his involvement with the Young Republicans. He describes his service as a personnel officer in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, particularly his experience in administration. He shares his memories of the Cold War.

In the fifth interview session, conducted on September 18, 2007, Peterson discusses attending the University of Oregon Law School. He talks about the dean, Orlando Hollis; his social life; and his summer jobs. He talks about relocating to Portland to practice law at Tooze, Kerr, Peterson, Marshall & Shenker.

In the sixth interview session, conducted on September 25, 2007, Peterson discusses practicing law in Portland. He speaks at length about cases he tried, about fellow lawyers, and about judges he argued before. He particularly focuses on trial preparation and procedures.

In the seventh interview session, conducted on October 9, 2007, Peterson speaks further about University of Oregon Law School Dean Orlando Hollis, then continues to discuss practicing law in Portland. He also talks about his involvement with the Oregon State Bar, and his friendship with Clay Myers.

In the eighth interview session, conducted on October 16, 2007, Peterson continues to discuss practicing law in Portland. He reflects on his career as a lawyer, talks about cases he worked on, and discusses settling out of court. He shares an anecdote about his appointment to the Oregon Supreme Court in 1979.

In the ninth interview session, conducted on October 23, 2007, Peterson discusses the procedures of the Multnomah County Circuit Court and the Oregon Court of Appeals, and talks about judges who served on those courts. He also shows the interviewer, Jeffrey Dobbins, his collection of photographs and speaks about them at length.

In the tenth interview session, conducted on October 30, 2007, Peterson continues to discuss his photograph collection. He then speaks about his service as a justice on the Oregon Supreme Court from 1979 to 1993. He describes his fellow justices on the court. He discusses the procedures of the Supreme Court, cases he heard, and his re-election in 1980.

In the eleventh interview session, conducted on November 6, 2007, Peterson continues to discuss his service as a justice on the Oregon Supreme Court from 1979 to 1993. He talks about serving as chief justice from 1983 to 1991, including implementing an integrated court system, the court's budget, and the court's staff. He reads entries from his journals detailing this part of his career.

In the twelfth interview session, conducted on November 13, 2007, Peterson continues to discuss his service as a justice on the Oregon Supreme Court from 1979 to 1993, and serving as chief justice from 1983 to 1991. He talks about implementing the uniform trial court rules. He also discusses the changes in technology, rules of professionalism, and diversity training. He reads additional entries from his journals detailing this part of his career.

In the thirteenth and final interview session, conducted on December 11, 2007, Peterson closes the interview by talking about his activities since retiring in 1993, including teaching at the Willamette University Law School and working as a mediator.

This oral history interview with Douglas R. Spencer was conducted by Craig J. Capon in Eugene, Oregon, from February 27 to June 20, 2008. In this interview, Spencer discusses his children and grandchildren, as well as his family background and early life in Eugene. He talks about going to the Lane County courthouse to watch trials for fun during high school. He then talks about attending Harvard University for several years before his naval reserve unit was activated in 1944. He describes his naval service in the Pacific Theater during World War II, including an experience when his ship was hit by a kamikaze. He talks about returning to finish his degree and study law at Harvard in 1946, and describes some of his classes and his social life. He then talks about returning to Eugene to prepare for the Oregon bar exam, meeting Amy Lou Ware, and their subsequent marriage.

Spencer discusses working as an assistant Lane County district attorney from 1949 to 1951. He talks about some of the cases he prosecuted, some of the judges he argued before, and lawyers he worked with. He then talks about practicing law in Cottage Grove for six months. He discusses teaching at the University of Oregon as an adjunct professor, then joining the Eugene law firm Bailey & Hoffman in 1953. He describes his daily life as a law associate, as well as his involvement with the Young Republicans. He describes events in the Lane County bar and Circuit Court that led up to his appointment to the court in 1967, particularly regarding Judge Frank Reid. He discusses serving as a judge on the Lane County Circuit Court from 1967 to 1989. He describes his daily activities as a judge and his staff. He also talks about changes in the court over the years, particularly societal changes and how they affected the judicial system. He describes some of the more complicated cases he heard, particularly those involving the death penalty. He discusses his reasons for retiring in 1989, as well as his retirement activities. He closes the interview by talking about the differences between the state and federal judiciary.

This oral history interview with Windsor D. Calkins was conducted by Monica D. LaRosa in Eugene, Oregon, from March 25 to May 8, 2008, as part of the United States District Court Oral History Project. The interview was conducted in three sessions, and a transcript is available.

In the first interview session, conducted on March 25, 2008, Calkins discusses his family background and early life in Eugene, including his early interest in music. He talks about his education at the University of Oregon and at Willamette University Law School, and about some of his professors. He discusses practicing law with his father, Windsor Calkins, in Eugene. He speaks at length about his father's career.

In the second interview session, conducted on April 10, 2008, Calkins continues to discuss his early life in Eugene, including his early childhood health, his recreational activities, and his relationship with his parents. He speaks further about his family background and about his education at the University of Oregon and at Willamette University Law School. He describes taking the Oregon bar exam in 1971, talks about working as a law clerk, and continues to discuss practicing law with his father. He talks about the law firm staff; about some of their clients, particularly insurance companies; and about cases he worked on, including medical malpractice suits. He discusses the legal community in Oregon and his involvement in several civic organizations.

In the third and final interview session, conducted on May 8, 2008, Calkins discusses his marriage to Judy VanCleave, and talks about their family life. He also talks about his children, their families, and their careers; about the houses the family lived in; and about family vacations. He continues to discuss practicing law with his father, and talks about changes in the legal profession, about medical malpractice cases he worked on, and about his experiences in federal courts and with federal judges. He also talks about how changes in technology affected his work. He closes the interview by reflecting on his career, and his work-life balance.

This oral history interview with Lee Johnson was conducted by Clark Hansen at Johnson's home, as well as his office, in Portland, Oregon, from April 20 to September 29, 1992. In this interview, Johnson discusses his family background and early life in Toledo, Oregon, during the Depression; he likens Toledo to a company town. He talks about moving to Portland at the age of 11, then attending prep school in New Jersey, and Princeton after that. He discusses how his education at Princeton changed his political outlook, and talks about volunteering for the Navy after the Korean War. He then talks about studying law at Stanford, including his interest in antitrust law, his involvement with the Law Review, and starting a family with his wife, Dorothy Marie Miller. He goes on to discuss his brief stint as a trial lawyer for the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., under both the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations, as well as practicing law in Portland. He briefly describes many of the judges before whom he argued cases. He talks about his involvement with the Trumpeters and the Republican Party.

Johnson discusses serving in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1965 to 1968, including campaigning, advocating for a sales tax, and his views on decriminalizing drugs. He also talks about some of the legislators he served with, including Monte Montgomery and Harry Boivin. He also speaks about Governor Mark Hatfield's administration; reapportionment; and the constitutionality of the Beach Bill. He then discusses serving as attorney general for Oregon from 1969 to 1975, particularly his campaigns. He also discusses some of the cases he prosecuted, his staff, and recruiting lawyers. He also speaks at length about the passage of the Bottle Bill. He discusses working in Governor Tom McCall's administration, as well as Governor Bob Straub's; his rivalry with Clay Myers; and working with George Van Hoomisen. He also talks about his work on cases regarding welfare reforms, particularly to help single mothers; antitrust law; regulation of fisheries; and crime prevention. He speaks often about the working relationship the district attorney's office had with the Oregon Legislature. He also describes his DUI arrest and the resulting trial; the gun control debate; the prison system and capital punishment; and whistleblower protections.

Johnson discusses his partial term as a judge on the Oregon Court of Appeals from 1977 to 1978, including his campaigns, the role of the judiciary, and working with juries. He also discusses judges he worked with, including Jacob Tanzer, Jason Lee, Hans Linde and Herb Schwabe. He talks about judicial decisions, including on abortion; procedures of the court; continuing education; the relationship between courts of different levels; and his views on the role of judges. He speaks at length about his time working for the administration of Governor Vic Atiyeh, as well as changes in the Legislature. He then talks about serving on the Multnomah County Circuit Court of Appeals from 1983 up to the time of the interview in 1992, including cases he worked on, his colleagues, and staff. He talks about how legislation has affected the job of judges, including the war on drugs, liability laws, and sentencing guidelines. He closes the interview with a discussion of the members of the Oregon delegation to Congress.

This interview with Frank Anthony Bauman was conducted by Karen E. Saul at Bauman's office at the Carriage House and in the Standard Plaza Building in Portland, Oregon, from November 5, 2005, to May 15, 2007. In the interview, while looking at family photographs, Bauman discusses his early life and childhood in Northeast Portland, including attending Grant High School and delivering newspapers. He then discusses attending Stanford University, including studying economics and his recollections of the lead-up to World War II and the attack on Pearl Harbor. Bauman also talks about his experiences in the Navy during World War II, including learning Japanese; deployment to the South Pacific, particularly Peleliu; treatment and interrogation of Japanese prisoners of war; and visiting Hiroshima after the war. He goes on to describe studying at Yale Law School and establishing himself as a lawyer in Portland. He also discusses his wife, Mildred Bauman, and her involvement in the Great Books Program; studying international law at the University of London in England; and working at various law firms in Portland, including Veatch, Bauman & Lovett, and Keane, Haessler, Bauman & Harper. He goes on to talk about cases he argued before the Oregon Supreme Court and District Court, including Zucker v. Mitchell and Ritchie v. Lamb. Bauman also discusses volunteering as a civil rights lawyer in Mississippi; his involvement with the World Affairs Council; and his involvement with the United Nations, particularly focusing on UNICEF, General Paul Cullen, and his service as U.N. senior officer to Australasia.

This interview with Alfred Goodwin was conducted by Michael O'Rourke at Goodwin's home in Sisters, Oregon, on August 26, 2006. In the interview, Goodwin discusses some of the topics that often come before the U.S. District Court, including immigration, fishing rights, and environmental law. He also discusses national legislation regarding terrorism; proposals to split the Ninth Circuit; technology in the court; and the War on Drugs. He closes the interview by talking about his personal life and family background.

This interview with Owen Panner was conducted by Michael O'Rourke in Portland, Oregon, on December 19, 2005. In the interview, Panner discusses mandatory sentencing and the effect of politics on the judiciary. He also talks about his plan to move to the District Court in Medford, Oregon. In addition, he discusses the structure and procedures of the District Court; technology in the courts; his involvement with the U.S. District Court Historical Society; and life on his Medford ranch.

This oral history interview with Otto Skopil was conducted by Clark Hansen at the U.S. District Courthouse in Portland, Oregon, on June 21, 2006, as part of the United States District Court Oral History Project. The interview was recorded simultaneously on audiocassette and videocassette; Videocassette 1 corresponds to Audiocassette 1, and Videocassette 2 corresponds to Audiocassette 2. A transcript of the interview is available.

In this interview, Skopil briefly discusses his family background, his early life in Salem, and his experiences at Willamette University and in the Navy. He speaks about practicing law in Salem, including some of the cases he worked on, and arguing cases before Judge Gus Solomon. He discusses his service as a judge, and later as chief judge, on the U.S. District Court of Oregon, including some of the cases he heard, and talks about his role in the development of the court's magistrate judge system. He discusses his 1979 appointment to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and talks about his service as a judge on that court from 1979 to the time of the interview. He shares some of the cases he heard, talks about the reasons for the court's large workload, and discusses the court's role as an interpreter of federal law. He talks about dissenting opinions among the judges, about calls to split the Ninth Circuit, and about working with law clerks. He speaks about his involvement with the Federal Courts Study Committee. He closes the interview by reflecting on his judicial career.

This oral history interview with Donal D. Sullivan was conducted by Michael O'Rourke in Sullivan's chambers at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Portland, Oregon, on July 6, 2006. In the interview, Sullivan discusses his early career as a lawyer in Salem, and as assistant district attorney with Sid Lezak in the Multnomah County district attorney's office in Portland, then as a clerk for the U.S. District Court of Oregon. He describes working with judges Gus Solomon and William East. Sullivan also talks about serving as a bankruptcy judge. He closes the interview by talking about his personal life and family.

This oral history interview with James A. Redden was conducted by Michael O'Rourke in Redden's chambers at the U.S. District Court in Portland, Oregon, on January 27, 2006. In this interview, Redden discusses cases during his time as Oregon attorney general and as a U.S. District Court judge, including some involving treaties with Native Americans and fishing rights on the Columbia River, as well as the effects of the dams on salmon runs and other fisheries. He also discusses the history and impact of the U.S. District Court Historical Society; the war on terror, particularly the Patriot Act; and drug-related cases.

This oral history interview with Betty Roberts was conducted by Katherine Huff O'Neil at Roberts' home in Portland, Oregon, from October 24 to November 16, 2005, as part of the United States District Court Oral History Project. In addition to the audio recording of the interview, the collection includes a transcript; 50 digital photographs depicting Roberts' childhood, family, and later judicial career and activities; and one photographic print of Roberts. The collection also includes an index to the digital photographs. The interview was conducted in five sessions. The audio for session five was not donated, but its content is available in the transcript.

In the first interview session, conducted on October 24, 2005, Roberts discusses her family background and early life in Texas, including her father's disability and the financial strain her family suffered during the Depression. She also talks about her early education, including playing on a girls football team. She talks about attending Texas Wesleyan College; meeting Bill Rice and their subsequent marriage; and moving to Southern Oregon in 1946. She describes raising a family, and returning to college later in life to pursue a teaching career.

In the second interview session, conducted on November 7, 2005, Roberts briefly speaks further about her experiences during the Depression. She then talks about getting involved in Democratic politics while attending Portland State University; the difficulty of balancing school, work, politics, and family; and her 1960 marriage to Frank Roberts. She also discusses some of the discrimination she faced due to her age and gender. She talks about studying at Northwestern College of Law, including her professors and fellow students. She discusses serving in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1965 to 1968. She talks about her experience as one of the few women in the Legislature, some of the legislation she worked on, and passing the Oregon bar in 1967. She talks about meeting Keith Skelton in the Legislature and their subsequent marriage in 1968. She then talks about serving in the Oregon Senate from 1969 to 1977. She describes the lack of a women's restroom in the Senate and other forms of discrimination she faced. She speaks about legislation on abortion that she worked on.

In the third interview session, conducted on November 10, 2005, Roberts continues to discuss serving in the Oregon House of Representatives. She speaks at length about legislation she worked on, including bills allowing married women to choose their names, and legalizing abortion. She talks about other women legislators and the formation of the women's caucus in 1973, as well as much of the legislation on women's rights they worked on. She also discusses her committee assignments, practicing law in Portland while serving in the Legislature, and the formation of the Oregon Court of Appeals in 1977. She discusses her appointment as a judge to that court.

In the fourth interview session, conducted on November 16, 2005, Roberts discusses serving as a judge on the Oregon Court of Appeals from 1977 to 1982. She discusses her appointment; her fellow judges, particularly Herb Schwab; and the sexism she faced. She then discusses serving as a justice on the Oregon Supreme Court from 1982 to 1986. She talks about her appointment, her fellow justices, and her experience as the first woman on the court. She also talks about some of the cases she heard and precedents set by her opinions. She then talks about her reasons for retiring in 1986, as well as her work as a mediator. Roberts and O'Neil discuss the formation of Oregon Women Lawyers and some of that organization's activities.

In the fifth and final interview session, conducted on February 26, 2007, Roberts revisits several topics from earlier in the interview, including her experiences at Portland State University, her early involvement in Oregon politics, and balancing education, career, and family. She closes the interview by talking about the increase in the number of women in the legal profession. The content of this session is available only in the interview transcript.

This oral history interview with Jacque Jurkins was conducted by Mary Ellen Smith at the Multnomah Law Library in Portland, Oregon, from February 23, 2006, to April 13, 2007. In this interview, Jurkins discusses her early life and high school experience in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She then talks about attending the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh and the discouragement she received from professors when she expressed her desire to become a lawyer. She speaks about studying law at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, including her experience as one of only a few women in the law school, her social life, and some of her professors. She also describes the events that led her to working in the university's law library. She talks about her decision to go to library school and pursue a career as a law librarian. She discusses studying law librarianship at the University of Washington, including her primary professor, Marian Gallagher; her fellow students; and working in the university's library. She then talks about working at the University of Washington law library, helping to establish the Pacific Rim Library, and her experience reorganizing the Colorado Supreme Court Library.

Jurkins discusses coming to Portland, Oregon, in 1964 to head the Multnomah Law Library. She talks about the disarray in which she found the library and her work reorganizing it. She describes providing organizational help for many other law libraries in Oregon. She discusses the expansion of the law library, the different buildings it has occupied, and her staff. She talks about the changes in information technology and how that has affected her library work, as well as the use of the library. She talks about the increased security at the library and courthouses as a result of shootings. She discusses some of the lawyers, judges, and politicians who patronized the library; setting up a library at the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College; and her role in the foundation of the Oregon Council of Law Libraries. She discusses teaching classes on legal research at Portland Community College, as well as her involvement with the Multnomah County Bar Association and the American Association of Law Libraries. She closes the interview by talking about her hobbies.

This oral history interview with Robert E. Jones was conducted by Clark Hansen at the U.S. District Courthouse in Portland, Oregon, from September 12 to October 14, 2005, as part of the United States District Court Oral History Project. The interview was conducted in five sessions. The first four interview sessions were recorded on audiocassette; the final session was recorded on videocassette. The transcript includes a foreword by Owen Panner and an introduction by Donna Sinclair, as well as several autobiographical addendums by Robert E. Jones.

In the first interview session, conducted on September 12, 2005, Jones discusses his family background and early life in Portland, including his experiences during the Great Depression, his social life, and working in the shipyards during World War II. He describes his service in the U.S. Navy Reserve at the end of the war and talks about how those experiences inform his worldview.

In the second interview session, conducted on September 19, 2005, Jones continues to discuss his service in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He talks about his marriage to Pearl Jensen and attending the University of Hawaii. He then discusses studying at the Northwestern School of Law and talks about practicing law from 1953 to 1963, including lawyers he worked with, cases he worked on, and judges he argued before. He talks about serving as a judge on the Multnomah County Circuit Court, including judges he served with and cases he heard. He also discusses representing Washington County in the Oregon House of Representatives during the 1963 legislative session and talks about legislation that came up during his term.

In the third interview session, conducted on September 22, 2005, Jones discusses serving on the Oregon Commission for Prison Term and Parole Standards and talks about criminal justice. He talks about teaching courses on evidence. He revisits the topic of his service as a judge on the Multnomah County Circuit Court and speaks about cases he presided over, talks about his staff, and describes how the circuit court differed from the U.S. District Court. He then briefly talks about serving as a justice on the Oregon Supreme Court.

In the fourth interview session, conducted on September 29, 2005, Jones continues to discuss serving as a justice on the Oregon Supreme Court. He talks about cases he heard, justices he served with, and some of the decisions he authored. He then discusses serving as a judge on the U.S. District Court of Oregon; talks about the political process of nominating judges; and describes some of the cases he heard. He also speaks about the jury selection process.

In the fifth and final interview session, conducted on October 14, 2005, Jones continues to discuss serving as a judge on the U.S. District Court of Oregon. He speaks further about cases he heard, and talks about technology used in the courtroom. He discusses a 1998 trip to Russia and talks about the Russian legal system. He closes the interview by talking about the most difficult aspects of being a judge.