Richard Unis
Encyclopedia
Richard L. Unis is an American
attorney in the state of Oregon
, United States
. He was the 89th Associate Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
. Previously he was a judge
for the city of Portland, a judge at the county level, and a state circuit court judge.
. After high school he attended and graduated from the University of Oregon
. In 1953, Unis graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law
in Eugene, Oregon
. After law school
he began working at the city attorney’s office in Portland. Unis used to own a piano store in Portland, Oregon
.
, while also teaching at the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada
. In January 1977 Richard Unis was appointed to the state circuit court.
On February 1, 1990, Unis was appointed to the Oregon Supreme Court
by Oregon Governor Neil Goldschmidt
to replace the retiring Hans A. Linde
. Unis then won a full six-year term on the state’s highest court later in 1990, but resigned on June 30, 1996 before completing that term. He retired from the Supreme Court in order to take a position overseeing the settlement of a class action lawsuit against Louisiana-Pacific
for problems with their siding material. Unis was appointed by U.S. District Court
Judge Robert E. Jones
.
. In October 2003, Unis helped finalize the settlement in the Louisiana-Pacific siding lawsuits as a special master appointed by the court.
Richard is the father of Maurice Unis, the owner of a piano store in Southeast Portland. His siblings are Norman Abraham Unis and Eva Hutchenson.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
attorney in the state of Oregon
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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He was the 89th Associate Justice of 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...
. Previously he was a judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
for the city of Portland, a judge at the county level, and a state circuit court judge.
Early life
Richard Unis was born and raised in Portland, OregonPortland, 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...
. After high school he attended and graduated from the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
. In 1953, Unis graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law
University of Oregon School of Law
The University of Oregon School of Law is a public law school in the U.S. state of Oregon. Housed in the Knight Law Center, it is Oregon's only state funded law school. The school, founded in 1884, is located on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene, on the corner of 15th and Agate streets,...
in Eugene, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
. After law school
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
he began working at the city attorney’s office in Portland. Unis used to own a piano store 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...
.
Judicial career
In 1968 Unis began serving as a municipal court judge for Portland, remaining at that position until 1971. That year the court was merged with the county district court where Unis would serve until 1976. Beginning in 1969 he began teaching at the Northwestern College of LawLewis & 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....
, while also teaching at the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada
Reno, Nevada
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
. In January 1977 Richard Unis was appointed to the state circuit court.
On February 1, 1990, Unis was appointed to 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...
by Oregon Governor Neil Goldschmidt
Neil Goldschmidt
Neil Edward Goldschmidt is an American businessman and former Democratic politician from Oregon who held local, state, and federal offices over three decades. After serving as the governor of Oregon, Goldschmidt is widely considered the most influential figure in the state's politics, both as an...
to replace the retiring Hans A. Linde
Hans A. Linde
Hans Arthur Linde, is a German American attorney and former jurist in Oregon. Born in Germany, he also lived with his family in Denmark before immigrating to Portland, Oregon. After serving in the United States Army during World War II he graduated from college and law school. Linde then worked...
. Unis then won a full six-year term on the state’s highest court later in 1990, but resigned on June 30, 1996 before completing that term. He retired from the Supreme Court in order to take a position overseeing the settlement of a class action lawsuit against Louisiana-Pacific
Louisiana-Pacific
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation , commonly known as "LP", is a United States building materials manufacturer. It was founded in 1973 and is currently based in Nashville, Tennessee. LP pioneered the U.S. production of oriented strand board panels. Today, LP is the world’s largest producer of OSB, and...
for problems with their siding material. Unis was appointed by U.S. District Court
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...
Judge Robert E. Jones
Robert E. Jones (judge)
Robert Edward Jones is an American politician and judge in Oregon. He is currently a senior judge for the United States District Court for the District of Oregon in the Portland...
.
Later life and family
Unis was awarded the Herbert Harley Award in October 1999 for his “outstanding efforts and contributions that substantially change and improve the administration of justice in their states.” This national award is presented by the American Judicature SocietyAmerican Judicature Society
The American Judicature Society is an independent, nonpartisan, national organization of judges, lawyers, and interested members of the public whose mission is to improve the American justice system - to "secure and promote an independent and qualified judiciary and fair system of justice." ...
. In October 2003, Unis helped finalize the settlement in the Louisiana-Pacific siding lawsuits as a special master appointed by the court.
Richard is the father of Maurice Unis, the owner of a piano store in Southeast Portland. His siblings are Norman Abraham Unis and Eva Hutchenson.