Homenajeados al premio Ciudadano Legal del año

What do you get when you combine a lifelong thirst for knowledge, a passionate commitment to public service, and a deep appreciation for the systems of democracy? If you’re very lucky, you wind up with someone like Jim Carter. A native of Pendleton, Oregon, Jim went to Stanford for his BA in economics then returned to Oregon, where his has made his career and home. Everywhere he has gone, his charm, character, and dedication have earned him leadership roles.

• Managing Shareholder, Schulte, Anderson
• VP and General Counsel, Nike, Inc.
• Chair, Port of Portland Commission

This work has never kept Jim from pursuing his passion for civic engagement and education. He joined the CLP board in 1999 and has served as chair. Throughout his service, he has nurtured new board members, reinforcing the commitments of community. Recognizing the power of inspirational teachers, he helped establish the Civic Educator of the Year award. Jim’s dedication has worked to expand CLP’s reach around the state, inspiring lawyers, community members, and teachers while providing students with a personal model of what civic participation means.

Justice Linde has been a dedicated teacher, scholar, and judge, making significant contributions to American jurisprudence in all these roles. A lot has been said about Hans Linde. Here is a sample:

“Energizer bunny of public law”

“The unassuming architect for state constitutions”

“A state judicial entrepreneur”

“A pioneering figure in state constitutional law”

“Justice Linde had authored opinions that literally redefined this state’s law pertaining to criminal law, religion, free speech, state preemption of local authority, gubernatorial authority, justiciability and judicial authority, privileges and immunities, and zoning. And that refers only to the opinions he authored.”

“Linde’s constitutionalism became a part of the fabric of Oregon constitutional law.”

“His publications include a course book on legislative and administrative processes and more than 75 articles, lectures and reviews.”

Whether a rabbit, architect, entrepreneur, pioneer, or author, we can all agree that there is a giant in our midst. Congratulations, Hans, on being named the Legal Citizen of the Year!

Having tested the waters in the East, Midwest, and West, we are happy to report that the West has won.

Tom Balmer’s roots are deepest in Oregon. There were the early years when Tom learned at the knee of his political science professor father and messed with his brothers in their Portland home. In later life, Tom found meaning hiking around Mt. Hood and helping Goose Hollow’s homeless.

 College in Ohio and law school in Chicago provided important stepping stones, and early lawyering in Boston and Washington, D.C., had their allure. But Tom came back to Oregon where he was soon joined by Mary Louise, a fellow Oregonian. After 31 years of marriage and two terrific children, Tom’s Oregon roots now span another generation.

The comfort and completeness that this place provides for Tom, makes his work in our courts better. He is our Chief Justice and he recognizes the diversity of individual circumstances. Tom understands that, whether it’s on behalf of a corporation or a homeless individual, a just and accessible court system is central to our democracy.

The bench, the bar, the community, the West – we all win with him here. Congratulations, Tom!