Shown above: The Honorable Wallace P. Carson, Jr., right, of the Supreme Court of Oregon in Salem, Oregon, received the 2006 Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Award for Professionalism and Ethics. The award was presented by the Honorable Ronald T.Y. Moon, left, of the Supreme court of Hawai'i, who serves as the Foundation's Ex Officio Trustee.
Justice Wallace P. Carson, Jr., graduated form Stanford University with a B.A. and from Willamette University College of Law with a J.D. Justice Carson has served the public with energy and distinction for literally decades. He was a Majority Leader of the Oregon House of Representatives (after being recruited to run for the seat by then Representative Bob Packwood) and Minority Floor Leader in the Oregon Senate. After fifteen years in private practice in his family's Salem, Oregon, law firm, which was founded by his grandfather in1889, and five years as a Marion County Circuit Court judge, he was elevated to the Oregon Supreme Court in 1982. He led Oregon's judiciary as chief justice from 1991 to 2005.
Under his leadership, approximately 94 percent of the cases decided by the court were unanimous decisions. "I see the usefulness of dissents or concurrences from the Court of Appeals because they showcase a split or turn of events." added Carson. "But unanimous decisions by the Supreme Court provide Oregon with consistent law and, therefore, the law becomes more stable."
As if his legal accomplishments weren't enough, he served in the Air Force as a jet fighter pilot and Judge Advocate. He retired as a Brigadier General after over 34 years of service in the active-duty Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Oregon Air National Guard.
Justice Carson is a tireless advocate for the legal profession and dedicated to helping society. Despite all the stresses and strains of his professional duties, Justice Carson is unfailingly optimistic, friendly and courteous to all.
As a lawyer and a judge, Justice Carson has championed professionalism, improvement of the judicial system, diversity, and children's rights. He embodies the highest standards of legal expertise, dedication to public service, professionalism, respect for others, and ethical behavior. An active member of the Willamette Valley American Inn of Court since 1993, he exemplifies the values the American Inns of Court promote.