James A. Redden facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James A. Redden
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Oregon
In office March 13, 1995 – March 31, 2020
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Oregon
In office 1990–1995
Preceded by	Owen M. Panner
Succeeded by	Michael Robert Hogan
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Oregon
In office February 20, 1980 – March 13, 1995
Appointed by	Jimmy Carter
Preceded by	Seat established by 92 Stat. 1629
Succeeded by	Ann Aiken
10th Oregon Attorney General
In office January 3, 1977 – March 24, 1980
Governor	Robert W. Straub Victor Atiyeh
Preceded by	Lee Johnson
Succeeded by	James M. Brown
Oregon State Treasurer
In office January 1, 1973 – January 3, 1977
Governor	Tom McCall
Preceded by	Robert W. Straub
Succeeded by	H. Clay Myers Jr.
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
In office 1963–1969
Personal details
Born	James Anthony Redden Jr. (1929-03-13)March 13, 1929 Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	March 31, 2020(2020-03-31) (aged 91)
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Joan Johnson ​ ​ (m. 1951; died 2018)​
Children	2
Residences	Beaverton, Oregon
Education	Boston College Boston College Law School (LLB)

James Anthony Redden Jr. (born March 13, 1929 – died March 31, 2020) was an important American judge and politician from Oregon. He served as a federal judge for many years. From 1995 to 2020, he was a senior judge in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. Before becoming a judge in 1980, he worked as a lawyer and was a Democratic politician. He held several important jobs in Oregon, including State Treasurer and Attorney General.

Early Life and Education

James A. Redden Jr. was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was the third child of James A. Redden Sr., who was a dentist.

When he was a teenager, Redden joined the United States Army in 1946. He served for two years as a private first class (PFC) in Japan after World War II. He worked as a hospital medic and saw the effects of the bombing of Hiroshima.

In 1951, he married Joan Johnson. Even though he started later than most, he earned his high school diploma. He then went on to Boston College and Boston College Law School. He graduated with a law degree in 1954 and became a lawyer in Massachusetts that same year.

Career Highlights

Becoming a Lawyer

After working as a lawyer in Massachusetts for just one year, Redden moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1955. He took a job with a company that deals with property titles. He also worked briefly as a claims adjuster for an insurance company.

Redden soon realized he loved the law, especially working in the courtroom. For the next 17 years, he lived in Medford, Oregon, where he built his own law practice. He also became very involved in politics and was seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party.

Entering Politics

In 1962, Redden ran for his first political office. He was asked by a friend to challenge the person already holding the seat for the 19th District in the Oregon House of Representatives. Redden won the election and served in the House for six years. By 1967, he became the leader of the minority party.

As a lawmaker, Redden helped pass some very important laws in Oregon. One of his biggest achievements was helping to create the state's 1967 law that made all public beaches open to everyone.

In 1969, Redden moved to a different part of the government, becoming the chairman of the Public Employee Relations Board until 1972. From 1973 to 1976, he served as the Oregon State Treasurer, managing the state's money. Then, from 1977 to 1980, he was the Oregon Attorney General, which is the chief legal officer for the state.

Serving as a Judge

On December 3, 1979, President Jimmy Carter chose James Redden to become a new judge for the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. The United States Senate approved his appointment, and he officially became a judge on February 20, 1980.

He served as the Chief Judge for this court from 1990 to 1995. After that, he became a senior judge on March 13, 1995, which means he took on a reduced workload. He continued to serve as a senior judge until March 31, 2017, when he became an inactive senior judge.

Important Cases

In 1983, Judge Redden dismissed old weapons charges against American Indian Movement leader Dennis Banks.

After 2003, Judge Redden became very important in a big debate about the hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River. This debate was between industries that use the dams and environmental groups worried about nature. Redden rejected two plans from the government because he felt they didn't do enough to protect different types of salmon. These salmon species are protected by the Endangered Species Act. He even suggested that if the government didn't fix the salmon issue, the courts might have to take over managing the dams. In 2011, he decided to step away from the case before a new plan was presented in 2014.

Personal Life

James Redden married Joan Johnson in 1951. She passed away in 2018. They had two sons, William and James. Their son James is a journalist for the Portland Tribune newspaper.

James Redden died on March 31, 2020, shortly after his 91st birthday. He had been treated for a heart condition.

Honors and Recognition

The federal courthouse in Medford, Oregon, was renamed in honor of James Redden. This is where he practiced law for 17 years. This renaming was approved by an Act of Congress.