Oral history interview with Thomas Cooney
Scope and Contents
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.
Dates
- 2000 October 17-November 2
Creator
- Cooney, Thomas E., 1931-2015 (Interviewee, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing 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/
Biographical note
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.
Extent
.1 Cubic Feet (2 audiocassettes (2 hr., 10 min., 38 sec.) + transcript (49 pages))
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
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.
Existence and Location of Copies
General
Forms part of the United States District Court Oral History Project.
Creator
- Cooney, Thomas E., 1931-2015 (Interviewee, Person)
- Kaner, Lisa A. (Interviewer, Person)
- Title
- Guide to oral history interview with Thomas Cooney
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Sarah Stroman
- Date
- 2020
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is written in 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.
Repository Details
Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240
libreference@ohs.org