Class Action very active in local and state bar activities. He earned a stellar reputation for fairness, decisiveness and efficiency and was well-known for giving both sides a fair opportunity to be heard. He enjoyed road-tripping with his wife, Cindy, around the U.S., visiting grandsons in Kansas, golfing, reading and completing crosswords and jigsaw puzzles. Edward Lewis JD’64 died January 13, 2023, in Portland, surrounded by his children. He attended Oregon State University, where he met and married Joan Osko. They had three children together before divorcing. Lewis graduated from Willamette Law ranked first in his class. Following law school,
he served in Vietnam. Upon his return, he started his legal career in California, eventually moving to Beaverton, Oregon, to work as a corporate attorney for NW Acceptance Co. and in various roles for Tektronix Inc. over 28 years. Lewis was respected for his fairness and integrity. His grandchildren were one of his greatest joys. He also enjoyed seeing the world by bicycle and loved the outdoors. William F. “Bill” Schulte JD’66, highly regarded domestic relations mediator and attorney, passed away February 14, 2023, from cancer. Schulte graduated from Whitman College in 1963 before earning his law degree. Following two years at a firm in Eugene, he served as a deputy
district attorney in Multnomah County before joining a private law firm that ultimately became Schulte, Anderson, Downes, Aronson & Bittner. He retired in 2019, having received several honors and awards and mentoring many younger lawyers over the years. Known for his sage advice, good humor and kindness, he was a voracious reader and enjoyed crossword puzzles, word games, gardening, biking, walking, golf and travel. Crispin “Cris” Leigh Smith JD’66 passed away at age 81 on September 15, 2022, at his home in Texas. Smith grew up in Whittier, California, and was always happiest playing sports. He graduated from Principia College and Willamette Law,
embarking on a life of service to his country through a career with the FBI. In Houston, he met the love of his life, Linda Anderson, and they later moved to Chicago. Together, they welcomed three children and returned to Houston, where they raised their family. Smith took mandatory retirement in 1999 but continued his service, doing investigative work for another 13 years. He was proud to serve the Bureau for 50 years. He spent his retirement with Linda in Lake Conroe, Texas. Norman Phillips II JD’68 died March 24, 2023, at the age of 80. Phillips was born and raised in Portland. At age eight, he met his future wife, Marilyn, and the later high school sweethearts
Order in the Court This section includes some Willamette Law graduates recently appointed to, elected to or retired from judicial positions, although it is not a comprehensive list. Many Willamette Law alumni serve or have served in judicial positions across the country. OREGON Judge Norman Hill JD’94, who is the presiding judge in Oregon’s 12th Judicial District, was honored with Oregon’s Lifetime Contribution Award in October 2022. Oregon’s previous Chief Justice Martha Walters bestowed the award in recognition of Hill’s achievement in juvenile law and child welfare. Hill has served on the bench since 2012. He also teaches at Willamette Law as a distinguished professor from practice.
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Hill
Muenchrath
Judge Matthew Muenchrath JD’97 was Gov. Tina Kotek’s first judicial appointment as governor, filling a vacancy on the Coos County Circuit Court beginning in June 2023. He served as a part-time municipal judge for the last six years and is a former councilman and mayor of Coquille. He has been a part of the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps and Navy Reserve since 1997, where he currently holds the rank of captain. Judge Stephen Hedlund JD’02 was appointed by former Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to the Klamath County Circuit Court in December 2022. He filled a vacancy created by Judge Daniel Bunch’s retirement. Hedlund has spent his entire law career in Klamath Falls. He
Queen
previously worked for the Klamath County District Attorney’s Office and in private practice, focusing on indigent defense work. Since 2016, he had served as a pro tem judge for the City of Klamath Falls Municipal Court. Hedlund’s appointment was effective December 31, 2022. Judge Amy Queen JD’04 was elected to the position 14 judicial seat in Marion County Circuit Court in November 2022, with her term beginning in January 2023. She previously served in the Marion County District Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted all kinds of crime and was promoted to trial team leader on the Domestic Violence Team.
