Oregon BENCHMARKS THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT OF OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER “Energy, Good Judgement and Humor” Thoughts on Renowned Mediator Sid Lezak Rembering Sid Lezak isn’t difficult, but getting it Sid Lezak: One of the “Good Guys” down on paper can be. We look forward to running of Oregon’s Justice System a longer article based on his oral history, but in the By Judge Donal Sullivan interim, Benchmarks asked several people to share Sid Lezak was one of the “good guys” of Oregon’s some thoughts and memories of working with Sid justice system. He was chosen by President John F. Lezak at various times throughout his long career. Kennedy to be Oregon’s U.S. Attorney in 1961 but owing to a dispute over prerogatives among the Remembering Sid Lezak Oregon senatorial and congressional delegation, his by Heather Van Meter appointments was not confirmed by the Senate for Sid Lezak, “a brave and bril- a number of years. During this period, he represented liant man” as noted in an Orego- the United States in criminal and civil matters in nian editorial, passed away on Oregon as “acting” U.S. Attorney. He always acted April 24, 2006. A memorial was with intelligence, firmness, and good humor even held for him at the Portland though his appointment was in limbo at first. He Hilton on May 4, 2006. There was a kind person. Sidney Lezak, were federal and state court One of the earlier important criminal cases was a 1924 – 2006 judges, lawyers, friends, family mail fraud case, which the district court scheduled and others in attendance at the for trial before a jury in Pendleton, Oregon. The packed ballroom wanting to pay their respects to night before trial and after driving from Portland, Oregon’s longest-serving U.S. Attorney and father Lezak inspected the new courtroom. Because of the of mediation in Oregon. The memorial was filled number of participants, he commenced rearranging with heart-warming remembrances of Lezak’s youth the furniture. During the midst of this process, the in Chicago, his move to Oregon, his time as U.S. judge, who was known for both good humor and Attorney, and his dispute resolution practice. Speak- temper, came in and rather vociferously objected to ers included Chicago friends Peggy Weil and Mike Sidney’s rearrangement of the furniture. Needless to Katz, former law partner Verne Newcomb, former say, the furniture was restored to its initial place- law clerk and mediation cohort Susan Hammer, ment. The district judge’s refrain “This is my court- former law clerk and Oregon U.S. Attorney Kris room!” still echoes in the halls of the Pendleton Olson, and long-time friends Fran Storrs and Norm Continue on page 4 Sepenuk. Stories included Lezak’s 1972 resignation from the Portland City Club over their refusal to admit women, trips to the Middle East to assist with the peace efforts between Palestine and Israel, his promotion of indigent legal defense and an enlight- ened drug policy while U.S. Attorney, his support of the Campaign for Equal Justice and Planned Par- enthood, and serving as the first chair of the Or- egon Dispute Resolution Commission. Family members Anne Lezak, Miriam Lezak, Adrian Chen, and David Lezak relayed touching and funny sto- ries of their time and relationship with Lezak. Rev. Rodney Page led the memorial by noting that fair- Sid Lezak (center) enjoying a USDCHS picnic flanked by (from left) his wife, Miriam, Jack Collins, Judge Alfred ness, compassion and justice were Lezak’s stock in Goodwin and Judge Ancer Haggerty. trade, and so shall he be remembered. SUMMER 2006 President’s Message Magistrate Judge George E. Juba The Society has had a busy spring and looks forward to an even by Janice Dilg busier summer. As a supporter of the recently released biography eorge E. Juba, the first federal by Harry Stein, Gus J. Solomon: Liberal Politics, Jews and the Gmagistrate judge in the state of Federal Courts, the Society co-sponsored the book release party. Oregon, died June 6, 2006. During the Harry noted that very few biographies district court judge have spring of this year, Judge Juba added been published. The book is available through the Oregon His- his oral history to the ongoing project torical Society, and soon, through a link from our website. It is of the U.S. District Court of Oregon also reviewed in this newsletter. (If you haven’t visited the Society’s Historical Society. Over three inter- website you should—www.usdchs.org). view sessions he recalled his long and By the time you receive this newsletter, the summer associate varied career in Oregon’s legal com- program for law clerks will have occurred at the U.S. District Courthouse. munity, both at the bar and at the Currently we expect 140 law students to participate and learn about federal bench. court practice—our largest program yet. The law clerk program is followed Born in Washougal, Washington on by our annual Bench and Bar Social. I hope I saw you there. Thanks to the January 11, event co-chairs, Kristin Hazard Hamilton and Kari Furnanz, for planning 1928, Juba left both those events. You should be marking your calendars for the USDCHS the area during annual picnic on August 20 at Judge Leavy’s hop farm. It is a wonderful a two-year stint family event, and if you are too old to ride the ponies, Judge Leavy will take in the U.S. on a hayride. Navy. Using the Sadly, Sid Lezak and Judge Juba both passed away since the last newsletter. GI Bill, Juba Sid Lezak is best known as a long-time U.S. Attorney for Oregon (1961 – earned a degree 82). I never knew him in that capacity; I first met him as a mediator when he in business ad- convinced me with wit and charm to settle a case. Thereafter I was fortunate ministration at to see him at many other Bar events and I think he may have had a tale to tell Willamette Uni- Judge George Juba. on each of you. But I don’t recall ever hearing any mean gossip from Sid, just versity. He soon 1928 – 2006 clever, funny tales that conveyed his enjoyment of life and the practice of law. returned to This newsletter contains remembrances of Sid Lezak by some of his colleagues. Willamette Law School and graduated Sid Lezak also hired Judge Juba at one time in the Judge’s career. However, with honors in 1956. During his col- any work Judge Juba may have done as an assistant U.S. Attorney is com- lege years, George Juba met and mar- pletely overshadowed by his impact as Oregon’s first magistrate. It wasn’t ried Suzanne Mellor, and together they until I talked with one of his peers that I learned that Judge Juba defined the raised two children, Karen Hanson word magistrate—literally. (Portland) and David Juba (Bend). When Judge Juba became magistrate there was not a clear job description. George Juba began his legal career Judge Juba encouraged parties to consent to a magistrate before the idea of at the firm of Miller Nash. In the late consents was ever heard of, much less codified. With the full cooperation of 1950s he left that firm to become an the three Oregon federal judges, Judge Juba handled any aspect of cases not assistant U.S. attorney in Portland. expressly forbidden by law. When the judicial committee reviewed magis- Three years later he fulfilled a life-long trates, the “Oregon way” was codified into law. Though you do hear that in ambition when he joined the FBI. His other districts magistrates are still not utilized to their full potential. Maybe postings included Denver, New Or- those districts needed Judge Juba. leans, and Biloxi, Mississippi. By the Enjoy the Oregon summer and I look forward to seeing you at our annual mid 1960s, Juba and his family re- picnic. turned to Portland and he returned to the US Attorney’s office, then under Jenifer Johnston, President the leadership of Sid Lezak. As gover- nor, Mark O. Hatfield appointed George Juba to serve as a Multnomah district court judge. He followed his time there with several years in the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office as George Van Hoomissen’s chief deputy. George Juba’s lasting contribution to the judicial system of Oregon was Continue on page 7 2 Oregon’s Groundbreaking Federal Drug Court By Adair Law 2006 has been an important year for first Federal Drug Court Program in the United States. While drug courts have been in use throughout the United States at state and local levels since the late 1980s, Oregon is the first district court to set up a federal pro- gram and launch its first graduates, two in Eugene and eight in Portland. HISTORY Oregon’s Drug Court grew out of a drug summit that was convened in January 2004. The idea for the sum- mit was spearheaded by Judge Ann Aiken. It brought together represen- tatives from the District Court, the U.S. Attorney, the Federal Public De- Judge James Redden (left) asked “the boss” Chief Judge Ancer Haggerty to say a fender, the U.S. Probation Office and few words to the first Drug Court graduates. Photo by Bryan Thompson. treatment providers to look at alter- evaluated and the candidate is inter- includes a U.S. District Court Judge, nate ways to deal with the increase in viewed by the Probation Officer. For an assistant U.S.