James Redden papers, circa 1932-2012

James Redden was born in 1929 in Springfield, Massachusetts, the son of dentist James A. Redden, Sr. and Alma Redden. He enlisted in the Army in 1946 and served two years with the American occupation forces in Japan. After his military service, he married Joan Johnson, with whom he would have two sons, James III and Bill. Redden earned a belated high school diploma, and studied at Boston College’s School of Law, graduating in 1954.

In 1955, the family moved to Portland, Oregon, where Redden took the Oregon State Bar exam. After a few brief jobs, the Reddens moved to Medford, where Redden built a law practice and became immersed in politics. In 1962, he ran as the Democratic candidate for the 19th District in the Oregon House of Representatives, and won. He served in the Oregon House of Representatives for six years, becoming the Minority Leader in 1967. From 1969 to 1972 he was chairman of the Public Relations Board. Redden then successfully ran for Oregon State Treasurer. In 1976, he successfully ran to become Attorney General of Oregon.

Redden’s career moved from the legislative branch to the judicial branch when President Jimmy Carter nominated him to a seat on the United States District Court of Oregon in December 1979, and was confirmed February 1980. He served as chief judge from 1990 to 1995, and then assumed senior status, but continued to remain active as a judge. During the early 21st century, Redden emerged as figure in conflicts between industrial and environmental concerns regarding hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River, rejecting two plans advanced by the United States government on the grounds that they failed to adequately protect various salmon species.

In 1996, the United States Senate passed a bill introduced by Mark O. Hatfield that named the federal courthouse in Medford, Oregon after Redden.