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Oral history interview with Thomas Cooney, 2000 October 17-November 2
Overview of the Collection
- Interviewee
- Cooney, Thomas E., 1931-2015
- Title
- Oral history interview with Thomas Cooney
- Dates
- 2000 October 17-November 2 (inclusive)2000-10-172000-11-02
- Quantity
- .1 cubic feet, (2 audiocassettes (2 hr., 10 min., 38 sec.) + transcript (49 pages))
- Collection Number
- SR 1259
- Summary
- Oral history interview with Thomas Cooney conducted by Lisa A. Kaner from October 17 to November 2, 2000, as part of the United States District Court Oral History Project. Cooney was an attorney in Portland, Oregon.
- Repository
-
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- This project is supported in whole or part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon.
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Thomas Emmett Michael Cooney was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1931. He attended the University of Portland, but left when his Air Force Reserve unit was activated to serve in the Korean War. He graduated in 1953 after his discharge. He then attended Willamette University, earning his law degree in 1956. In 1955, he and Beverly McKnight were married; they later had four children. He started practicing law in Portland with MacGuire, Shields, Morrison, and Bailey. Eventually, he was a partner at Cooney & Crew LLP, where he frequently represented the Oregon Medical Association. He and Beverly McKnight divorced in 1984, and in 1985, Cooney and Janice Fenton were married. He died in 2015.
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
Forms part of the United States District Court Oral History Project.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This oral history interview with Thomas Cooney was conducted by Lisa A. Kaner from October 17 to November 2, 2000. In this interview, Cooney discusses his family background and early life in Portland, Oregon, including his interest in drama and golf, and his memories of World War II. He then discusses attending the University of Portland, including being a cheerleader. He also briefly discusses his service in the Air Force during the Korean War. He relates several unfortunate incidents involving a pogo stick. He describes studying law at Willamette University, including his social life. He then talks about raising a family and coaching his son's basketball team. He describes getting started in law practice in Portland, Oregon, at MacGuire, Shields, Morrison, and Bailey, including several of the cases he tried. He then speaks at length about representing the Oregon Medical Association while a partner at Cooney & Crew and several of the malpractice suits he tried. He also relates several anecdotes about his life and being a lawyer.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
Audio and transcript available online in OHS Digital Collections.
Preferred Citation
Oral history interview with Thomas Cooney, by Lisa A. Kaner, SR 1259, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Restrictions on Use
Joint copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society and the U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society. Use is allowed according to the following statement: In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Cassette | ||
| 1 | Oral history interview with Thomas E. Cooney | 2000 October 17 |
| 2 | Oral history interview with Thomas E. Cooney | 2000 November 2 |
| Folder | ||
| SR1259 | Transcript of oral history interview with Thomas Cooney | 2000 October 17-2000 November 2 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Justice, Administration of--Oregon
- Lawyers--Oregon--Portland
- Trials (Malpractice)
Personal Names
- Cooney, Thomas E., 1931-2015
Form or Genre Terms
- interviews
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Kaner, Lisa A. (interviewer)
