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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 27, 2004)
Retirement means nothing to law alumnus At 74, ex-Supreme Court lawyer Edwin Peterson is still present in the classroom and the courtroom BY CANELA WOOD NEWS REPORTER Although he is 10 years into retire ment, University alumnus Edwin Pe terson has never stopped working. Peterson teaches a class at Willamette University College of Law, mentors aspiring law students, continues to work as a mediator and still has a lot planned for his future. Peterson graduated from the Uni versity with a bachelor of science from the School of Music in 1951 and with a law degree from the Uni versity’s School of Law in 1957. Upon graduating from law school, Peterson immediately went to work for the Tooze, Kerr, Peterson, Mar chall & Shenker law firm in Portland, where he stayed for 22 years, until he was elected associate justice for the Oregon Supreme Court in 1979. Peterson’s career with the Oregon Supreme Court continued until he retired as justice in December 1993. Peterson’s post-college success has earned him a number of awards, including Public Interest Lawyer of the Year, presented by Willamette University Public Inter est Law Project in 2003; University of Oregon Outstanding Alumnus Award in 1996; Oregon State Bar President’s Affirmative Action Award in 1995 and nearly 20 other distinguished awards. In addition to his award-winning work, Peterson has done a wide range of public service activities, including serving on the Conference of Chief Justices’ Board of Directors, the Oregon State Bar Board of Governors and the Professional Liability Fund Board of Directors. "I’m still working just as hard, teaching pre-trial civil litigation at Willamette University and working with faculty and students in a host of ways, an ongoing act at the law school,” Peterson said. “In 1998, I formed the Understanding Racism Foundation and I’ve been very ac tive with the foundation ever since. I’ve been active in racial-diversity is sues for probably 15 years.” Peterson said that he is still work ing as a private mediator and as a pro tern judge from time to time, adding that he’s very busy, but that’s how he prefers things. “1 think he has a very inquisitive mind and always wants to learn more and then he likes to put that knowledge to use,” Peterson’s wife, Anne, said. “He’s absolutely awe some, an incredibly kind man and he has ideas of how to make the world better. ” In 1971, Peterson married Anne, whom he met while working for the Tooze, Kerr, Peterson, Marchall & Shenker law firm. The couple brought their children from previous marriages together to form one fam ily, Anne Peterson said. Peterson’s wife is also an alumna of the Univer sity, graduating from the journalism school in public relations in 1984. Where are they now? 11 1.11——I ll I Courtesy 10 years retired, Edwin Peterson serves as a pro tem judge and law mentor. EDWIN PETERSON Graduated: 1951 (School of Music), 1957 (School of Law) Degrees earned: B.S. School of Music, LL.B. School of Law Important issues at the time: Problems that the Allies had concerning Germany, which led to the Cold War, Berlin Wall and creation of NATO; Tru man vs. Dewey presidential campaign in 1948 and 1952 Eisenhower vs. Stevenson election; construc tion of the Student Union, now called the EMU. University activities: Involved with Young Re publicans, served on Student Union board, 3-year class officer and member of University band and orchestra. “She commuted to Eugene after our kids were grown; she and our son were classmates and graduated in the same year,” Peterson said. He added that she worked in public re lations for a number of years, in cluding work as the director of de velopment for the University’s School of Law. While attending the University, Peterson worked at a creamery de livering milk and at a restaurant as a cook, waiter and eventually manag er. Peterson worked to pay tuition, which was only $37.50 per quarter in fall 1947, he said. Peterson said his most rewarding time at the University was serving on the student union board. “1 was always fairly active in stu dent affairs,” Peterson said. He also participated in student government, serving as a class officer all three years that he attended law school. Peterson also played the French horn for the University’s band and orchestra. Peterson has three pieces of ad vice for current University students. He said the most important thing for success is thoroughness. “Thoroughness. Not brains, thor oughness. If you approach a task and do a thorough job then that will bring you to the top over the smarter, less thorough competitor,” Peterson said. The second piece of advice he had was to be civil. “Civility is vanishing from our so ciety,” Peterson said. “I think civility is the mark of any successful society. Being courteous and respectful of others is something I’ve always tried to do.” Peterson’s final piece of advice was to attend class. He noted that during his entire undergraduate ca reer he never missed a class until his final quarter before graduating and that the same was true for his time in law school. Fellow University Law School graduate and one of Peter son’s lifelong friends Wayne Annala can attest to Peterson’s many ac complishments. “I’d describe him as having ful filled everything and more than any one would have ever expected, and then some,” Annala said. He said Peterson went into a well known law firm trying many large cases and then ran for the Oregon Supreme Court as a lawyer. “He didn’t rely on a governor to appoint him,” Annala said. “He be came a member of the court the hard way, in a real election.” Annala added that to become the Supreme Court Justice, one needs to be elected by fellow members of the court, which says a lot about Peter son’s ability to work with others. There is no doubt that Peterson has accomplished a lot in his life time, but he still has plans for the fu ture. Peterson, 74, said that among the things he’d like to accomplish is be coming closer to his three adult chil dren, finishing a book of prayers he’s been working on and continu ing to teach. “1 have a list of things I’d like to do before 1 die. I’ve knocked off a lot of them, but I still have some things to work on,” Peterson said. canelawood@ daily emerald, com ggg£ FALL PALETTE Danielle Hickey | Photo editor The long days of studying with beautiful fall sunsets has begun at Knight Law School, which towers over multi-colored leaves as the fading sunlight reflects off its pristine windows. SKI SWAP Lane County Fairgrounds October 29 and 30 New & used ski and snowboarding equipment, clothing and more! THURSDAY ~ • rminmont 9 AM - 9 PM TST FRIDAY Consign Equipment g AM _5 pM SALE Tickets $1.00 Friday Only SR Presented by Willamette Pass, Willamette Backcountry Patrol and Hoodoo Ski Patrol TUDENT GROUPS Advertise in the Emerald. Call 346-3712 to speak with a rep. We have great University rates.
