Wallace P. Carson, Jr.

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Wallace P. Carson, Jr.
40th Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
In office
1991 – 2005
Preceded by Edwin J. Peterson
Succeeded by Paul De Muniz
84th Associate Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
In office
1982 – 2006
Appointed by Victor G. Atiyeh
Preceded by Arno H. Denecke
Succeeded by Virginia Linder

Wallace P. Carson, Jr. is a lawyer and politician from Oregon. He has spent time on both of Oregon’s legislative branches and served on the Oregon Supreme Court for 24 years, 14 as Chief Justice. The 14 years as Chief Justice is the longest of any previous Chief Justice on the Oregon bench.[1]

Contents

[edit] Early Life

Mr. Carson was born and raised in Salem, Oregon where his grandfather had started a law firm in 1889.

[edit] Education

Wallace graduated from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California with a B.A. in 1956. At Stanford he was in ROTC, which lead to a commission in the United States Air Force. Carson, Jr. then enrolled in Willamette University’s law school, graduated with his J.D. in 1962.[2]

[edit] Military

After graduation, he spent three years on active duty in the Air Force. Overall Carson, Jr. was in the armed forces for 34 years, many with the Air Force Reserve and Oregon Air National Guard. While serving in the military he rose to the rank of brigadier general while serving as a JAG officer, ground control intercept officer, and jet pilot. This service took him to places such as Korea and Taiwan.[1]

[edit] Politics

While still serving in the military and working in private practice, Wallace Carson was invited by Oregon Republican politician Bob Packwood to run for a seat in the Oregon house in 1966. There he served two terms, including one as majority leader. Then he was elected in 1970 to the state senate, and re-elected in 1974.[1] He served as minority floor leader during his second term.[2]

[edit] Judicial Service

Wallace P. Carson, Jr. began his career in the judicial branch of government following his years in the legislature with an appointment to the Marion County Circuit Court by Governor Robert W. Straub in 1977.[1] Then in July 1982 Governor Vic Atiyeh appointed him to replace Justice Denecke on the Oregon Supreme Court. That fall he was elected to a full six-year term on the bench of the state’s highest court. He was re-elected in 1988, 1994, and 2000.[3] While serving at the Oregon Supreme Court, Carson was elected by fellow justices to serve as Chief Justice from 1991 till 2005. [1]

Carson did not seek re-election in 2006. Virginia Linder was elected to the position he vacated.

[edit] Other

  • Was in private practice from 1962 to 1977.
  • On the Board of Trustees of Willamette University since 1970
  • Chair of the Oregon Appellate Judges Association, 1989-1991.
  • Chair of the Commission on Appellate Court Performance Standards for the National Center for State Courts.[2]

[edit] External Links

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e Profiles. Willamette University College of Law. Retrieved on November 3, 2006.
  2. ^ a b c The Honorable Wallace P. Carson, Jr.. Supreme Court. Oregon Judicial Department. Retrieved on November 25, 2006.
  3. ^ http://www.bluebook.state.or.us/state/elections/elections27.htm
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