This interview with Aaron Brown was conducted by an unidentified woman around 1975 for Grassroot News Northwest. In the interview, Brown discusses his early college education and career as a teacher and railroad worker. He then discusses coming to Portland, Oregon, and attending Northwestern College of Law while working as a caseworker for the Oregon Welfare Department. He talks about being appointed as a judge to the Portland Municipal Court in 1969 and to the U.S. District Court of Oregon in 1971, as well as his re-election campaign in 1972. Brown talks about his experience as a black man in the legal profession, including his relationship with the press. He goes on to speak about the black experience in America and how it related to his decision to become a lawyer. He describes his belief in the judicial system, his reasoning behind some his judgements, and his thoughts on why black people are a disproportionate part of the number of people in prison. He closes the interview by discussing his views on drug use among young black people of the 1970s.

This oral history interview with Virgil H. Langtry was conducted by Charles Digregorio at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, on December 20, 1976, as part of the oral history program at the society's research library. Langtry's wife, H. Lavina Langtry, was also present and briefly contributed to the interview.

In this interview, H. Lavina Langtry briefly discusses her family background. Virgil H. Langtry then discusses his family background and early life in lumber towns near Eugene, Oregon. He talks about starting a law practice in Bend during the Depression, about serving as treasurer for the Farm Loan Association in Redmond, and about his work with the League of Oregon Cities. He discusses lawyers he worked with, shares his thoughts about political issues at the time of the interview, and talks about the relationship between the press and the judicial system. He closes the interview by talking about the disparity between the salaries of judges and lawyers.

This oral history interview with Charles S. Crookham was conducted by Charles Digregorio in Portland, Oregon, on November 25, 1978. In this interview, Crookham discusses his family background and early life in Portland. He briefly talks about his service in the U.S. Army during World War II, including his training and fighting in France under General George Patton. He mentions studying law at Stanford University and Northwestern College of Law, then speaks about practicing law in Portland. He then discusses serving as a trial judge on the Multnomah County Circuit Court; his stance on capital punishment; equity of the administration of justice; and some of the sentences he has handed down. He closes the interview by talking about his wife, Elizabeth Kelley, and their children.

This oral history interview with Betty Roberts was conducted by Linda S. Dodds in Portland, Oregon, from October 29 to November 14, 1980. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody.

In the interview, Roberts discusses her early life in Texas, including her memories of the Depression and her childhood activities. She then talks about attending Texas Wesleyan University for a year; meeting Bill Rice and their subsequent marriage; and her early years as a housewife in Oregon, where she and Rice moved after World War II. She talks about returning to college in 1955 at Eastern Oregon College of Education (now Eastern Oregon University), then transferring to Portland State University. She talks about the difficulty of balancing school, a part-time job, and family life; her interest in both a teaching career and politics; and her involvement with the Lynch School Board from 1960 to 1966. She also talks briefly about studying at Northwestern College of Law.

Roberts discusses her service in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1965 to 1968, and in the Oregon Senate from 1969 to 1977. She also talks about her unsuccessful campaigns for the House in 1962 and her successful one in 1964. She discusses some of the legislation she worked on, including on universal kindergarten and victims' rights, and particularly regarding women's rights. She talks about her experiences as a woman in the Legislature. She describes her 1968 primary campaign against incumbent Senator Tom Mahoney; the casual sexism she observed; and the formation of the women's caucus in the 1973 legislative session. She discusses her committee assignments, including the judiciary committee and Ways and Means. She also gives a brief history of the coalition of Republicans and Conservative Democrats that controlled the Senate throughout the 1950s and 1960s. She then talks about her unsuccessful campaigns for governor in 1974, and the U.S. Senate later that same year. She describes the passage of the Bottle Bill in 1971 and the opposition the legislation faced.

Roberts closes the interview by discussing her service as a judge on the Oregon Court of Appeals from 1977 to the time of the interview in 1980.

This oral history interview with Mercedes Deiz was conducted by Linda Dodds at the Multnomah County Courthouse in Portland, Oregon, from February 5-27, 1981. At the time of the interview, Linda Dodds' surname was Brody.

In this interview, Deiz discusses her family background and early life in New York, New York, including life in a large family, her experience during the Depression, and her education. She then talks about attending Hunter College in New York, and her marriage to, and later divorce from, Billy Owens. She discusses the reason she came to Oregon in 1949, and reflects on some of her civil rights activism in New York. She talks about her first impressions of Portland, including its social life and the racism she encountered. She discusses her civil rights activism in Oregon, and her work on public accommodation legislation. Deiz talks about working for the IRS, where she met Carl Deiz, as well as their subsequent marriage. She also often discusses the difficulty of finding affordable day care for her son. She talks about working at the law library at the Bonneville Power Administration, as a legal secretary for Graham Walker, and about attending the Northwestern College of Law. She then talks about failing to pass the bar on her first try. She describes some of the cases she tried and serving as a hearing officer in worker compensation cases. She then relates the story of being appointed to the U.S. District Court of Oregon by Governor Tom McCall. She discusses her campaign to hold that seat a few months later, as well as her campaign for a new position on the Oregon Circuit Court in 1972. She describes the kinds of cases she has heard on that bench, and press coverage. She closes the interview by discussing her involvement in various professional organizations.

This oral history interview with Jean L. Lewis was conducted by Linda S. Dodds in Portland, Oregon, on March 5, 1981. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody.

In this interview, Lewis discusses her family background and early life in Portland, Oregon. She briefly talks about studying at Northwestern College of Law, practicing law in Portland, and working on the staff of the U.S. Treasury General Counsel in Washington, D.C., during World War II.

She discusses serving in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1954 to 1956, and in the Oregon Senate from 1957 to 1961. She talks about legislation she worked on, including on capital punishment, education, government transparency, and carnival safety. She also talks about her experiences as a woman in the Legislature, and as the first woman to serve on the Ways and Means Committee and the Emergency Board.

Lewis talks about serving as a judge on the Multnomah County Circuit Court from 1961 to 1978. She describes her experiences as the first woman to serve on a circuit court in Oregon. She talks about specializing in domestic cases and about some of the cases she presided over, including cases on allowing single fathers to adopt children. She briefly lists some of the organizations she's been involved with. She closes the interview by talking about her reasons for retiring in 1978.

This oral history interview with Helen J. Frye was conducted by Linda Dodds in Frye's chambers in Portland, Oregon, on March 19, 1981. In this interview, Frye discusses her family background and early life on a farm in Klamath County, Oregon. She talks about the difficult experience of a huge change in her family situation as a child, when she was reunited with her mother and brother after having been raised entirely by her grandparents. She then discusses attending the University of Oregon, including influential professors, and meeting and marrying William Frye. She talks about raising a family and how postpartum depression drove her to start her teaching career. She also discusses her involvement in politics, including William Frye's political campaigns. She then talks about attending the University of Oregon law school in 1963, including other women in her class, balancing family life, and starting to practice law.

She describes becoming a judge for the Lane County Circuit Court, including her appointment by Governor Tom McCall and her later campaign. She talks about how her gender affected the way defendants perceived her. She also discusses how this new position affected her marriage and her divorce in 1975. She talks briefly about serving as a judge for the U.S. District Court of Oregon. She closes the interview by discussing her current family life in 1981 and her plans for the future.

This oral history interview with Hall Stoner Lusk was conducted by Linda S. Dodds at the Maryville Nursing Home in Beaverton, Oregon, in two sessions on December 18, 1981, and January 20, 1982. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody. Sister Peter Kump was also present for the entire interview, and Catherine Emmons Lusk was present for the interview session on January 20, 1982.

In the first interview session, Lusk discusses coming to Portland, Oregon, from the East Coast in 1909 and his impressions of Oregon. He talks about practicing law in Portland and his marriage to Catherine Emmons. He discusses handling the case of the 1922 Oregon Compulsory School Bill and arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court.

In the second interview session, Lusk discusses serving as a judge on the Multnomah County Circuit Court and as a justice on the Oregon Supreme Court, as well as serving in the U.S. Senate for a few months in 1960. He closes the interview by talking about working with Senator Wayne Morse.

This oral history interview with Sara C. Lusk was conducted by Linda S. Dodds in Beaverton, Oregon, in two sessions on January 22, 1982, and January 27, 1982. The interview was conducted as part of the oral history program at the society's research library. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody. Sister Peter Kump was also present and occasionally contributed to the interview.

In the first interview session, Lusk discusses her family background and early life in the Riverdale neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, in the early 20th century. She describes driving around town when cars were first introduced, talks about businesses in downtown Portland, and discusses her father's career as a lawyer. She talks about her involvement with the Portland Junior League, then briefly discusses studying art at St. Helen's Hall and at the Art Students League of New York. She speaks about meeting her husband, Hall Stoner Lusk.

In the second interview session, Lusk continues to discuss her art studies. She talks about her marriage to Hall Stoner Lusk, and speaks at length about his career as a lawyer, judge, and U.S. senator. She talks about living in Washington, D.C., during Hall S. Lusk's brief time in the U.S. Senate, and in Salem, Oregon, while he served on the Oregon Supreme Court. She closes the interview by discussing some of the cases Hall S. Lusk heard on the court.

This oral history interview with John F. Kilkenny was conducted by Rick Harmon in Portland, Oregon, in 15 sessions from June 12 to October 3, 1984. A transcript is available. The original audio of the recording is incomplete due to irretrievable damage to Tape 14, side 2. Tape 17 is a re-enactment of that audio. The re-enactment was created after the damage to the original tape was discovered. It was based upon an earlier transcript created before the damage occurred, which no longer exists. The accuracy of the re-enactment cannot be verified.

In the first interview session, conducted on June 12, 1984, Kilkenny discusses his family background and early life on a sheep farm in Heppner, Oregon. He talks about the Heppner community's relationship with local Native people; describes the sheep-cattle wars; and talks about his recreational activities.

In the second interview session, conducted on June 15, 1984, Kilkenny continues to discuss his early life, including his early education in a one-room school, his Catholic upbringing, and his family's political beliefs. He describes his experiences attending Columbia Preparatory, a boarding school in Portland.

In the third interview session, conducted on June 21, 1984, Kilkenny briefly discusses his memories of World War I. He speaks further about sheep ranching, then talks about attending the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, including playing football under Knute Rockne.

In the fourth interview session, conducted on June 26, 1984, Kilkenny continues to discuss attending Notre Dame in Indiana, including studying law and his social life. He talks about preparing for the Oregon Bar by taking prep courses at Northwestern College of Law. He discusses his early law career in Pendleton and notable cases he worked on, including bankruptcy and Prohibition cases. He also talks about his political views and Republican affiliation.

In the fifth interview session, conducted on June 29, 1984, Kilkenny continues to discuss his political views and Republican affiliation. He describes the effects of the Depression on his family. He talks about serving as city attorney for Pendleton from 1930 to 1934; speaks about his marriage to Virginia Brannock; and discusses working as a lawyer in private practice.

In the sixth interview session, conducted on July 5, 1984, Kilkenny continues to discuss working as a lawyer in private practice and talks about some of the cases he worked on. He speaks about how World War II affected people in Eastern Oregon.

In the seventh interview session, conducted on July 27, 1984, Kilkenny discusses his involvement with the Oregon State Bar.

In the eighth interview session, conducted on August 3, 1984, Kilkenny speaks at length about his 1959 appointment to the U.S. District Court of Oregon.

In the ninth interview session, conducted on August 9, 1984, Kilkenny discusses serving as a judge on the U.S. District Court of Oregon. He briefly describes judges he worked with, including Hall Lusk and Gus Solomon, and discusses cases involving admiralty law.

In the tenth interview session, conducted on August 21, 1984, Kilkenny continues to discuss serving as a judge on the U.S. District Court of Oregon. He talks about cases involving labor law.

In the eleventh interview session, conducted on August 28, 1984, Kilkenny continues to discuss serving as a judge on the U.S. District Court of Oregon. He talks about cases involving the first amendment and criminal law. He also speaks further about serving with Hall Lusk. He then discusses his 1969 appointment to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

In the twelfth interview session, conducted on September 4, 1984, Kilkenny discusses serving as a judge on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He discusses cases involving the draft and talks about procedures of the court.

In the thirteenth interview session, conducted on September 11, 1984, Kilkenny continues to discuss serving as a judge on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He talks about serving as a guest judge in other circuit courts, about his senior status, and about his decision-making process.

In the fourteenth interview session, conducted on September 27, 1984, Kilkenny continues to discuss serving as a judge on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He talks about how his sentencing style has changed over time and about new precedents set by recent courts.

In the fifteenth interview session, conducted on October 3, 1984, Kilkenny continues to discuss serving as a judge on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He shares his thoughts on the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. He discusses his involvement in the preservation of the Pioneer Courthouse in Portland. He closes the interview by talking about his recent activities and family life.

This oral history interview with Gus J. Solomon was conducted by Rick Harmon at the U.S. District Courthouse in Portland, Oregon, from July 23 to October 18, 1984. In this interview, Solomon discusses his family background and early life in Portland, including his memories of World War I, his Jewish upbringing, his father's store, and his education. He then discusses attending Reed College, his interest in history, and his subsequent transfer to the University of Chicago. He discusses studying law at Columbia University, including his social life in New York, then transferring to Stanford University, including his developing political beliefs. He also discusses his family's financial difficulties during this time period. He talks about the difficulty in finding a job in a law office during the Depression, and about some of the cases he worked on, particularly cases involving civil rights. He also talks about his involvement with the Democratic Party, the Oregon Commonwealth Foundation, and the American Civil Liberties Union. He describes his work toward establishing a legal aid program in Oregon, his work on public power, and his efforts getting jobs for young lawyers, particularly those from underrepresented groups. He describes being rejected for military service in World War II and cases he worked on related to internment of Japanese-Americans, particularly after the war.

Solomon discusses serving as a judge for the U.S. District Court of Oregon. He talks about his election to the bench and the opposition he faced; the adjustment from lawyer to judge; and his relationship with his fellow judges. He describes in detail his techniques for speeding up the judicial process, with some case examples. He then discusses his activities as a senior judge, beginning in 1971, which he describes as being largely the same as when he was an active judge. He talks about hearing cases in other districts, particularly in Southern California; the McCarthy era; and cases with political implications, particularly cases regarding the draft. He talks about serving as chief judge from 1959 to 1971, and the changes he made to rules and procedures of the court. He describes some of the law clerks he's had over his career, including Jerome Kohlberg, Jr. He speaks briefly about his early opposition to clubs with discriminatory policies. Solomon provides advice to lawyers on how to win cases, and discusses lawyers he has worked with. He talks about sentencing, judicial activism, and interpreting law.

Solomon closes the interview by talking about his personal life and activities. He discusses the many organizations he has belonged to, including the Reed College Alumni Association and Amnesty International. He also talks about organizations he regularly donates to, including the Jewish Federation. He describes his family life and the activities of his children and grandchildren.

This oral history interview with William G. East was conducted by Rick Harmon in East's chambers in Eugene, Oregon, in two sessions from November 8-15, 1984, as part of the United States District Court Oral History Project.

In the first interview session, conducted on November 8, 1984, East discusses his family background and early life in Salem, Oregon, including his education and interest in journalism and sports. He then discusses attending the University of Oregon from 1927 to 1932 and studying law. He talks about the Depression hitting in the middle of his studies, his social life, and his developing political outlook. He also talks about Orlando Hollis and Wayne Morse as law professors. He then discusses practicing law in Eugene from 1932 to 1942, including law firms he worked at and cases he tried. He describes his experience in the U.S. Army during World War II, including his training, service in Germany, and his involvement in the capture of Hermann Göring. He describes his return to civilian life and law practice, as well as his position as city attorney for Eugene.

In the second interview session, conducted on November 15, 1984, East talks about his service on the Oregon Circuit Court from 1949 to 1955, including his appointment, conflict with the press, and various cases he heard. East goes on to discuss his service on the U.S. District Court of Oregon from 1955 to 1967, including his appointment. He particularly focuses on a scandal that nearly derailed his appointment and on a meeting with President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He also discusses cases he heard, including a negligence case involving Booth-Kelly Lumber Company that he heard twice, and a case on public defender compensation. He describes the changes to court procedures implemented by Judge Gus Solomon. He then discusses his decision to take senior status in 1967, as well as his activities since then, including cases on Native American rights and sovereignty. He closes the interview with a discussion of his judicial philosophy, his involvement with various civic organizations, and his hobbies and family life.

This oral history interview with Windsor Calkins was conducted by Jim Strassmaier in Calkins' office in Eugene, Oregon, from July 7 to August 1, 1986. In the interview, Calkins discusses his family background and early life in Eugene, including a 1922 trip on foot from Newport to Florence, Oregon, with his father. He also discusses his father's career as a court reporter, as well as his own interest in the law. Calkins talks about studying law at the University of Oregon, including taking classes from Wayne Morse. Calkins talks about practicing law in Eugene and some of the cases he argued, including bootlegging and murder cases. He also discusses the effect the Depression had on his family. He then talks about his experiences in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Calkins also talks about notable people from Eugene, including William G. East and other judges. He then discusses his work as a lawyer for the Eugene Water and Electric Board and Sacred Heart Hospital, as well as his involvement with the Lane County Bar Association, the Eugene City Health Board, and other civic organizations. He closes the interview with a description of malpractice lawsuits, as well as his family life.

This oral history interview with Alfred T. Goodwin was conducted by Rick Harmon at the Pioneer Courthouse in Portland, Oregon, from May 10, 1985, to September 3, 1986. The audio for this interview is incomplete; Tape 22 was discovered to be blank in 2020, but its content is represented in both an incomplete transcript and a completed index.

In this interview, Goodwin discusses his family background and early life in Bellingham, Washington, and Portland and Prineville, Oregon, including his early education, his memories of the Depression, and life on a farm. He talks about studying journalism at the University of Oregon, including his social life. He speaks at length about his Army service in Europe during World War II, including his experiences in combat and freeing prisoners. He also talks about his marriages and family life. He discusses returning to the University of Oregon to study law, and how his background in journalism influenced his decision-making as a judge. He speaks at length about working for the Eugene Register-Guard newspaper, as well as his support for and later disillusionment with U.S. Senator Wayne Morse.

Goodwin discusses practicing law in Eugene. He talks about cases he argued, including as a court-appointed lawyer. He also talks about his involvement in the Republican Party, including serving as a precinct committee member. He discusses serving as a judge on the Lane County Circuit Court, including his appointment and later re-election, cases he heard, and his decision-making process. He then discusses serving on the Oregon Supreme Court, including his appointment and later re-election, his fellow justices, and some of the cases they heard. He talks about opinions he wrote, as well as his involvement in the effort to revise the Oregon state constitution in the 1960s. He discusses the changes in laws regarding the criminal code and civil rights, and how that affected the decisions of the Oregon Supreme Court. He also discusses his views on the Vietnam War, the criminalization of drug use, and the civil rights movement of the 1960s. He discusses serving as a judge on the U.S. District Court, including his appointment and confirmation, his fellow judges, and some of the cases he heard. He discusses serving as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, including his appointment and confirmation; cases he heard, particularly concerning immigration and anti-trust law; and his opinion on Roe v. Wade. He also discusses the role of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, his fellow judges, and his involvement with the American Bar Association. He talks about continuing education opportunities for members of the judiciary; his children, their careers, and their families; and his involvement with the Presbyterian Church. He closes the interview by discussing his move to California.

This oral history interview with Jacob B. Tanzer was conducted by Frank Parisi in Tanzer's office in Portland, Oregon, in October 1988. The interview was created as part of the Oregon Court of Appeals Oral History Project, which was later donated to the U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society to become part of their U.S. District Court Oral History Project. The interview was conducted in two sessions.

In the first interview session, Tanzer discusses serving as a judge on the Oregon Court of Appeals, and discusses some of the cases he heard while on the court of appeals, particularly regarding administrative law. He speaks about his admiration for Judge Herb Schwab, and about serving on the Oregon Supreme Court with Justice Hans Linde. He also talks about his judicial and political philosophy. The video focuses on the art and photographs in Tanzer's office as Tanzer talks about their relationship to his career in the U.S. Department of Justice, on the Oregon Supreme Court, and as director of the Oregon Department of Human Resources, now known as the Oregon Department of Human Servcices. Other art and photos prompt him to discuss Portland Police Chief Penny Harringon, his family history, and his experiences with the U.S. Supreme Court. He talks about writing the 1981 opinion for the Oregon Supreme Court that overturned the 1978 reinstatement of the death penalty. He shares the reasons he prefers work as a lawyer in private practice over work as a judge, and talks about changes he would recommend for the court of appeals.

In the second interview session, Tanzer talks about Oregon Supreme Court justices Ralph Holman and Kenneth J. O'Connell, and talks about his process of writing opinions. He speaks at length about the tendency of the Oregon Supreme Court to defer to the state constitution before the federal. He talks about Oregon attorney generals Dave Frohnmayer and Lee Johnson; speaks about his unsuccessful 1974 campaign for a seat on the Oregon Court of Appeals; and shares his opinion about judicial elections. He revisits the topic of his experiences with the U.S. Supreme Court; talks about managing the caseload of the Oregon Court of Appeals and Supreme Court; and discusses the role of law clerks in the courts. He speaks further about his admiration for Judge Herb Schwab, and about his family history. He closes the interview by sharing his thoughts about the civil rights movement, about immigrants in American society, and about the Watergate scandal.

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.