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Representative Cases

Landslide from negligent logging deaths and injuries
Protection of public interest group/freedom of speech
Prosecution of crime manual publisher
Public interest and public service work

Landslide From Negligent Logging Wrongful Deaths and Injuries

Don Corson was the lead liability lawyer on multiple wrongful death and personal injury actions arising out of a deadly debris torrent in the Oregon Coast Range mountains. Clearcut logging operations on a state-identified high risk site above family homes led to a predictable result: during a storm, an entire hillside gave way. The torrent of mud, rock, water, and debris wiped away everything in its path, completely destroying one house, killing several persons, and injuring others. The site had been identified as "high risk" before the storm precisely because of this risk. After confidential settlements, these cases became the catalyst for improved forest management rules.

Protection of Public Interest Group/Freedom of Speech

As part of a national attack on student and state public interest groups inspired by Ralph Nader's consumer protection activism, a lawsuit was brought against the Oregon Student Public Interest Group (OSPIRG) to take away a substantial part of its student funding. The case sought to decrease the ability of the student group to participate fully in the discussion of ideas at the University. Don Corson was the lead trial lawyer defending OSPIRG. A victory for the student group in the United States District Court for Oregon was later upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The case was handled on a no-fee, pro bono basis.

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Prosecution of Crime Manual Publisher

This case involved an Oregon woman who miraculously survived an attempted murder-for-hire. The would-be hit man had never attempted such a crime before, but when hired by the estranged husband, purchased a "technical manual for independent contractors." The manual covered how to become a professional contract killer, from negotiating a fee to purchasing equipment, and from destroying evidence and dealing with the police. The basis for the claim against the manual's publisher was upheld by the federal trial court, and the case eventually settled for confidential terms.

Public Interest and Public Service Work

The attorneys of the Corson & Johnson Law Firm are committed to trying to make sure the law works for everyone. Current or recent activities include serving on the Oregon Council on Court Procedures, which has been delegated the legislative responsibility to draft the rules of civil procedure that govern trial courts for the State of Oregon. Activities also include serving on the Deans Advisory Council for the University of Oregon School of Law, the only public law school in the State of Oregon.

The Corson & Johnson Law Firm serves clients throughout Oregon, including Eugene, Portland, Brownsville, Springfield, Hood River, Brookings, Corvallis, Salem, Redmond, Roseburg, Medford, Klamath Falls, Myrtle Creek, Bend, Albany, Creswell, Ashland, Central Point, Grants Pass, Junction City, Florence, Tigard, Cottage Grove, Coos Bay, North Bend, Newport, Oregon City, Hillsboro, Gresham, Beaverton.

Benton County • Clackamas County • Coos County • Crook County • Deschutes County • Douglas County • Jackson County • Jefferson County • Josephine County • Klamath County • Lane County • Lincoln County • Linn County • Marion County • Multnomah County • Polk County • Tillamook County • Washington County

The Corson & Johnson Law Firm does not offer any guarantee of case results. Past success in litigation does not guarantee success in any new or future civil action. Our web site describes some of the cases that Don Corson or The Corson & Johnson Law Firm has worked on in the past. Our description of those cases is summary in nature. The results obtained in each of the cases depended on the particular facts of each case. The results of other cases will differ based on the different facts involved.

FULL DISCLAIMER

Eugene Oregon Personal Injury Attorneys • Corson & Johnson Law Firm, Don Corson and Lara Johnson, 101 East Broadway Suite 303, Eugene, Oregon 97401 • phone: 541/484-2525, fax: 541/484-2929
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	< BACK TO Public Interest and Environmental Work Main Representative Cases Landslide from negligent logging deaths and injuries Protection of public interest group/freedom of speech Prosecution of crime manual publisher Public interest and public service work Landslide From Negligent Logging Wrongful Deaths and Injuries Don Corson was the lead liability lawyer on multiple wrongful death and personal injury actions arising out of a deadly debris torrent in the Oregon Coast Range mountains. Clearcut logging operations on a state-identified high risk site above family homes led to a predictable result: during a storm, an entire hillside gave way. The torrent of mud, rock, water, and debris wiped away everything in its path, completely destroying one house, killing several persons, and injuring others. The site had been identified as "high risk" before the storm precisely because of this risk. After confidential settlements, these cases became the catalyst for improved forest management rules. Protection of Public Interest Group/Freedom of Speech As part of a national attack on student and state public interest groups inspired by Ralph Nader's consumer protection activism, a lawsuit was brought against the Oregon Student Public Interest Group (OSPIRG) to take away a substantial part of its student funding. The case sought to decrease the ability of the student group to participate fully in the discussion of ideas at the University. Don Corson was the lead trial lawyer defending OSPIRG. A victory for the student group in the United States District Court for Oregon was later upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The case was handled on a no-fee, pro bono basis. Top Prosecution of Crime Manual Publisher This case involved an Oregon woman who miraculously survived an attempted murder-for-hire. The would-be hit man had never attempted such a crime before, but when hired by the estranged husband, purchased a "technical manual for independent contractors." The manual covered how to become a professional contract killer, from negotiating a fee to purchasing equipment, and from destroying evidence and dealing with the police. The basis for the claim against the manual's publisher was upheld by the federal trial court, and the case eventually settled for confidential terms. Public Interest and Public Service Work The attorneys of the Corson & Johnson Law Firm are committed to trying to make sure the law works for everyone. Current or recent activities include serving on the Oregon Council on Court Procedures, which has been delegated the legislative responsibility to draft the rules of civil procedure that govern trial courts for the State of Oregon. Activities also include serving on the Deans Advisory Council for the University of Oregon School of Law, the only public law school in the State of Oregon.
	The Corson & Johnson Law Firm serves clients throughout Oregon, including Eugene, Portland, Brownsville, Springfield, Hood River, Brookings, Corvallis, Salem, Redmond, Roseburg, Medford, Klamath Falls, Myrtle Creek, Bend, Albany, Creswell, Ashland, Central Point, Grants Pass, Junction City, Florence, Tigard, Cottage Grove, Coos Bay, North Bend, Newport, Oregon City, Hillsboro, Gresham, Beaverton. Benton County • Clackamas County • Coos County • Crook County • Deschutes County • Douglas County • Jackson County • Jefferson County • Josephine County • Klamath County • Lane County • Lincoln County • Linn County • Marion County • Multnomah County • Polk County • Tillamook County • Washington County The Corson & Johnson Law Firm does not offer any guarantee of case results. Past success in litigation does not guarantee success in any new or future civil action. Our web site describes some of the cases that Don Corson or The Corson & Johnson Law Firm has worked on in the past. Our description of those cases is summary in nature. The results obtained in each of the cases depended on the particular facts of each case. The results of other cases will differ based on the different facts involved. FULL DISCLAIMER