Oral history interview with Michael R. Hogan, 2013 February 27-2014 May 22

In the first interview session, conducted on February 27, 2013, Hogan discusses his family background and early life on a ranch in Myrtle Point, Oregon, including daily chores, his education, and his recreational activities. He talks about his experiences at the University of Oregon, and at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., while working full-time as a Capitol police officer. He also talks about some of his professors. He talks about his early law career, and about his marriage to Christine Campbell.

In the second interview session, conducted on July 24, 2013, Hogan further discusses his experiences studying law at Georgetown University, while working full-time as a Capitol police officer. He talks about working as a law clerk for Judge Robert C. Belloni, talks about cases he worked on, and shares his experiences of appearing before Judge Gus Solomon. He talks about working as a lawyer in private practice, then discusses serving as a federal bankruptcy judge and a federal magistrate judge for the District of Oregon in Medford. He speaks about cases he worked on and about his fellow lawyers, and reflects on his accomplishments. He also talks about his marriage and family life.

In the third interview session, conducted on July 30, 2013, Hogan discusses serving as a judge on the U.S. District Court of Oregon from 1991 to 2012. He describes the appointment and confirmation process, talks about having law clerks, and discusses the unique role of magistrate judges in Oregon. He discusses hearing and mediating district court cases, including cases on grass burning and assisted suicide.

In the fourth interview session, conducted on August 22, 2013, Hogan continues to discuss hearing and mediating district court cases, including cases on free speech, and on sexual abuse of children in the Archdiocese of Portland. He talks about the process of mediation, and about his involvement in legal organizations.

Audio and video recordings of this session were made simultaneously. In the fifth interview session, conducted on January 31, 2014, Hogan speaks at length about his involvement in the design and construction of the Wayne Lyman Morse U.S. Courthouse in Eugene, and about collaborating with architect Thom Mayne. He also shares his experiences with receiving death threats.

Audio and video recordings of this session were made simultaneously. In the sixth and final interview session, conducted on May 22, 2014, Hogan talks about people he considered mentors, including Judge Robert Belloni; about changes in the legal profession during his career, including changes in technology; and about the politics involved in the process of nominating judges. He closes the interview by discussing his retirement from the U.S. District Court of Oregon.