Jack Landau (judge)
Encyclopedia
Jack L. Landau is an American attorney and jurist in the state of Oregon
. A native of Colorado
, he worked in private legal practice in Oregon before he joined the Oregon Department of Justice
. After he served on the Oregon Court of Appeals
, he joined the Oregon Supreme Court
as an associate justice in 2011.
, at Eastern Regional High School
from 1967 to 1968 followed by Benjamin Franklin High School in Los Angeles, California
, for the next school year. In 1969, Landau's family settled in Portland, Oregon
, where he attended another Benjamin Franklin High School, graduating in 1971.
Following high school, he remained in Portland and attended Lewis & Clark College
where he graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in 1975. Landau then enrolled at the school's law school, Northwestern School of Law (now Lewis & Clark Law School
), and he graduated in 1980 with a juris doctorate. He later earned a Master of Laws
(LL.M.) degree in judicial process from the University of Virginia School of Law
in 2001.
of the United States District Court for the District of Oregon
in Portland from 1981 until 1983. He passed the Oregon bar
in 1982, and then entered private legal practice at Lindsay, Hart, Neil & Weigler in Portland. Landau remained with the firm from 1983 until 1989, and rose to partner. In 1989, he joined the Oregon Department of Justice
and worked there until 1993, rising to the position of deputy attorney general.
appointed Landau to the Oregon Court of Appeals
on December 15, 1992, to replace George M. Joseph. Landau served as judge on that court from 1993 until 2010, winning re-election to six-year terms in 1994, 2000, and 2006. Beginning in 1993, he also started teaching legislation as an adjunct professor at Willamette University College of Law
. In January 2010, Landau entered the race to replace W. Michael Gillette
as associate justice on the Oregon Supreme Court
. He faced administrative law judge Allan Arlow in the May primary, and Landau defeated him with 72% of the vote to win the seat on Oregon's highest court. Landau took office on January 3, 2011, as the one-hundredth person to serve on the court since it was formed when the Oregon Territory
was organized.
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. A native of Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, he worked in private legal practice in Oregon before he joined the Oregon Department of Justice
Oregon Department of Justice
The Oregon Department of Justice , headed by Attorney General John Kroger, is the main legal branch of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon. The DOJ is part of Oregon's executive branch, and most of its employees work in Oregon's capital, Salem...
. After he served on the Oregon Court of Appeals
Oregon Court of Appeals
The Oregon Court of Appeals is the state intermediate appellate court in the U.S. state of Oregon. Part of the Oregon Judicial Department, it has ten judges and is located in Salem...
, he joined the Oregon Supreme Court
Oregon Supreme Court
The Oregon Supreme Court is the highest state court in the U.S. state of Oregon. The only court that may reverse or modify a decision of the Oregon Supreme Court is the Supreme Court of the United States. The OSC holds court at the Oregon Supreme Court Building in Salem, Oregon, near the capitol...
as an associate justice in 2011.
Early life
Jack Landau was born about 1954 in Colorado. His family moved several times while he was growing up, and he attended high school first in Gibbsboro, New JerseyGibbsboro, New Jersey
Gibbsboro is a Borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 2,274.Gibbsboro was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 8, 1924, from portions of Voorhees Township, based on the results of a...
, at Eastern Regional High School
Eastern High School (New Jersey)
Eastern High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school for students in grades 9 - 12 from three communities in Camden County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Eastern Camden County Regional High School District...
from 1967 to 1968 followed by Benjamin Franklin High School in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, for the next school year. In 1969, Landau's family settled in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, where he attended another Benjamin Franklin High School, graduating in 1971.
Following high school, he remained in Portland and attended Lewis & Clark College
Lewis & Clark College
Lewis & Clark College is a private institution of higher learning located in Portland, Oregon. Made up of an undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences, a School of Law, and a Graduate School of Education and Counseling. Lewis & Clark is a member of the Annapolis Group of colleges with athletic...
where he graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in 1975. Landau then enrolled at the school's law school, Northwestern School of Law (now Lewis & Clark Law School
Lewis & Clark Law School
Lewis and Clark Law School is a private American law school located in Portland, Oregon. In the last ten years, L&C's Environmental Law program has been the highest-rated in the United States eight times....
), and he graduated in 1980 with a juris doctorate. He later earned a Master of Laws
Master of Laws
The Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree, pursued by those holding a professional law degree, and is commonly abbreviated LL.M. from its Latin name, Legum Magister. The University of Oxford names its taught masters of laws B.C.L...
(LL.M.) degree in judicial process from the University of Virginia School of Law
University of Virginia School of Law
The University of Virginia School of Law was founded in Charlottesville in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson as one of the original subjects taught at his "academical village," the University of Virginia. The law school maintains an enrollment of approximately 1,100 students in its initial degree program...
in 2001.
Legal career
Landau began his legal career as an instructor at his former law school from June 1980 until August 1981. He then worked as a clerk for judge Robert C. BelloniRobert C. Belloni
Robert Clinton Belloni was a judge with the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. He served as Chief Judge from 1971 to 1976. He was instrumental in upholding Native American fishing rights in the Pacific Northwest.-Career:Belloni was from Myrtle Point, Oregon. Some sources state that...
of the United States District Court for the District of Oregon
United States District Court for the District of Oregon
The United States District Court for the District of Oregon is the Federal district court whose jurisdiction comprises the state of Oregon. It was created in 1859 when the state was admitted to the Union...
in Portland from 1981 until 1983. He passed the Oregon bar
Oregon State Bar
The Oregon State Bar is a government agency in the U.S. state of Oregon. Founded in 1890 as the private Oregon Bar Association, it became a public entity in 1935 that regulates the legal profession. The public corporation is part of the Oregon Judicial Department...
in 1982, and then entered private legal practice at Lindsay, Hart, Neil & Weigler in Portland. Landau remained with the firm from 1983 until 1989, and rose to partner. In 1989, he joined the Oregon Department of Justice
Oregon Department of Justice
The Oregon Department of Justice , headed by Attorney General John Kroger, is the main legal branch of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon. The DOJ is part of Oregon's executive branch, and most of its employees work in Oregon's capital, Salem...
and worked there until 1993, rising to the position of deputy attorney general.
Judicial career
Oregon Governor Barbara RobertsBarbara Roberts
Barbara Kay Roberts is an American politician from the state of Oregon. A native of the state, she served as the 34th Governor of Oregon from 1991 to 1995. She is the first and, to date, only woman to be elected to that office. A Democrat, Roberts was also the first woman to serve as majority...
appointed Landau to the Oregon Court of Appeals
Oregon Court of Appeals
The Oregon Court of Appeals is the state intermediate appellate court in the U.S. state of Oregon. Part of the Oregon Judicial Department, it has ten judges and is located in Salem...
on December 15, 1992, to replace George M. Joseph. Landau served as judge on that court from 1993 until 2010, winning re-election to six-year terms in 1994, 2000, and 2006. Beginning in 1993, he also started teaching legislation as an adjunct professor at Willamette University College of Law
Willamette University College of Law
Willamette University College of Law is a private law school located in Salem, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1842, Willamette University is the oldest university in the Western United States...
. In January 2010, Landau entered the race to replace W. Michael Gillette
W. Michael Gillette
W. Michael Gillette is an American attorney and retired judge in the state of Oregon. He was an associate justice on the Oregon Supreme Court, where he served from 1986 until 2010...
as associate justice on the Oregon Supreme Court
Oregon Supreme Court
The Oregon Supreme Court is the highest state court in the U.S. state of Oregon. The only court that may reverse or modify a decision of the Oregon Supreme Court is the Supreme Court of the United States. The OSC holds court at the Oregon Supreme Court Building in Salem, Oregon, near the capitol...
. He faced administrative law judge Allan Arlow in the May primary, and Landau defeated him with 72% of the vote to win the seat on Oregon's highest court. Landau took office on January 3, 2011, as the one-hundredth person to serve on the court since it was formed when the Oregon Territory
Oregon Territory
The Territory of Oregon was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 14, 1848, until February 14, 1859, when the southwestern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Oregon. Originally claimed by several countries , the region was...
was organized.