Alumni
A High-Flying Legal Career
During his first two years as chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court, Wallace P. Carson Jr. JD’62 visited every court in Oregon’s state court system — but did so at a slower pace than he was used to. In addition to his full-time legal career, Carson served for 34 years in the U.S. Air Force as a jet fighter pilot and a Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corp. officer. When he was appointed chief justice of the Court, an increasingly tight budget meant he had limited travel funds for visiting courts in the outermost regions of the state. Carson was left to sluggishly journey by car, which substantially lengthened his travel time. It took two years, but Carson finally made a visit to all Oregon state courts. His determination to personally visit the courthouses, judges and staff in each region clearly demonstrates his devotion to serving the people of Oregon.
Students
Homegrown Ambitions
Lee Ann Donaldson, a member of the Class of 2009, didn’t have a specific career goal in mind when she applied to law school. She was drawn to law by a keen interest in politics and a desire to help others. “I really enjoy problem solving and helping people,” she said, “so I know law school was the right choice for me.”
Faculty
Devout Defender of the First Amendment
Take a look at Professor Steven Green’s genealogy and you might conclude that he is the black sheep of his family. Green comes from a long line of clergyman that includes his father, brother, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather. Although the associate professor of law did not directly choose a life of religious service, his career has kept him deeply embedded in family tradition. Green has remained true to his Baptist roots — and stayed in the good graces of his family — by working to safeguard religious freedom in the U.S. and preserve the separation of church and state.
