Earl C. Latourette - Judicial Career

Judicial Career

In 1931, he was appointed as a circuit court judge for Oregon’s 5th judicial district that included Clackamas County, holding that position until 1950. During his time on the bench he lived in Oregon City, and in 1936 attended the funeral of fellow judge John Hugh McNary. Then on January 19, 1950 Oregon Governor Douglas McKay appointed Latourette to replace E. M. Page on the Oregon Supreme Court. Page had had resigned from his position the day before, less than a year after he had been appointed to the court. Later that year Latourette won election to a full six-year term on the bench. Then in 1953 he was selected by his fellow justices to be Chief Justice, serving as Chief Justice until 1955. During this time as Chief Justice, future politician Norma Paulus clerked for him. Latourette encouraged her to attended law school, which she did at Willamette University College of Law. On August 18, 1956, Justice Earl Latourette died in office