Outside the Law
Willamette. His burgeoning personal injury practice and family left little time for bridge. When he picked it up again about six years ago, he became part of a close-knit community of local lawyers who play competitive bridge and have gained national attention for their skills. “Many of the finest bridge players in the world are Portland lawyers,” Runstein said.
lawyer: thinking strategically, having patience and discipline and being competitive yet congenial at the bridge table. As Pickett noted, the ability to adapt to the ever-evolving nuances of the game is an invaluable skill that enhances Runstein’s game. Ever humble about his skills, Runstein is quick to state that he doesn’t think he’ll ever be a world-class player, though he has become a life master and has won district honors. He has competed at the national level four times — qualifying for the finals three times — and last year he and his partner tied for first place at a regional competition in Yuma, Ariz.
“It was a good way to meet people. We didn’t have the Internet and social networking back then, so this was a way we could socialize while also challenging our minds.” Among them is Marc Zwerling, a world champion who began playing as a youth. Lake Oswego lawyer John Stanley Sather and Randy Pickett, a Portland attorney, also play. Pickett admires how quickly Runstein improved his game, which has evolved dramatically since the college years. “What he did is very difficult to do,” Pickett said. “To go away from it for so long and then come back to it is very difficult, so he has certainly done well in re-establishing his game.” Though bridge has been around in some form since the 1700s, it changed rapidly over the last century. With so many attorneys who are fans, it’s probably not surprising that it was invented by the famous barrister and card game enthusiast Edmond Hoyle. According to one author, the game that started as whist became bridge-whist and, ultimately, contract bridge, which became popular across the United States during the 1920s.
Prizes aren’t financial windfalls, which Runstein appreciates. “Tennis and bridge, in my opinion, you do strictly for the fun and enjoyment,” he said, adding that enthusiasts can play bridge well into old age.
The atmosphere surrounding competitive bridge also appeals to Runstein, who has seen Gates and Buffet at competitions and has met interesting new partners. These include a retired Boeing engineer and a retired doctor, both from Seattle. Runstein sometimes partners with clients, and he and his wife, Sandy, play socially. On the competitive front, stamina — and a yen for an adrenaline rush — are key to success, Runstein said. “As a trial attorney I’d have to say one of the things I enjoy is stress, frankly, and it’s about as stressful as things come,” he said. — Melody Finnemore
By the 1930s, books on bridge were best sellers, playing card production rose to 52 million packs a year and more than 1,200 people were working as bridge instructors. By the 1960s, there were more than 35 million bridge players across the U.S. Today, the American Contract Bridge League has 160,000 members and is one of the nation’s largest hotel users due to its national tournament. The 10day contest hosts an average of 6,000 players. Runstein said he returned to bridge because his practice is slowing down as he nears retirement. Over the last six years, he has elevated his game using many of the skills that made him a successful
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