by Stephen Raher The presidential election of 1876 was a contentious battle over the future of the post-Civil War United States.  Students of history will recall that Louisiana, Florida, and South Carolina each submitted dueling vote tallies after the election, thus requiring Congressional action to decide the disputed results in those states.  Less well-remembered, however, was an electoral controversy in a fourth state: Oregon. Setting the Stage In the years leading up to November 1876, political observers knew the election to replace President Ulysses S. Grant would be hotly contested.  The policy of Reconstruction was under increasing attack, and while Republicans still controlled the Senate, anti-Reconstruction Democrats had regained a…

The US District Court of Oregon Historical Society notes with sadness the passing of Judge Michael H. Marcus. We hope you will avail yourself of the opportunity to read his oral history conducted April-December 2010.

  Many thanks to Gosia Fonberg for coordinating the photography session that took place in January 2017.  Keene Studio took the photos.

By Adair Law Friends, family members, and colleagues gathered with Judge Robert E. Jones and his wife Pearl in his chambers in the Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse to celebrate his 90th birthday on July 5, 2017.  A full courtroom shared good wishes with Judge Jones, his wife Pearl and his staff while enjoying a large 90th birthday cake, sparkling cider, and other refreshments. Attorney and guitar-playing balladeer Jonathan Hoffman regaled the crowd with verses on the life of Judge Jones.  Below are some excerpts of his work: Did you ever hear of Judge Robert E. Jones? He knows evidence law, it’s deep in his bones. He grew up in Portland,…

By Heather Van Meter Oregon’s U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown will be honored with the 2017 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Ninth Circuit at the upcoming Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference. The award is a high honor and recognizes a lawyer or judge “whose life and practice display sterling character and unquestioned integrity, coupled with ongoing dedication to the highest standards of the legal profession and the rule of law.” Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Jones, who has known Judge Brown her entire career, formally nominated her for the award, stating she is “the best of the best around here” and “loved and respected by everyone…