We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our colleague, friend, and mentor, Douglas Guy Houser. Doug passed on September 30, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Doug was an excellent trial lawyer, a wonderful mentor, and a dear friend to us all. He will be deeply missed.
Mr. Houser, a graduate of Willamette University and Stanford Law School, joined Bullivant in March of 1961 following discharge from the U.S. Army. He became a partner in 1965, and a named partner in 1984 when the firm became Bullivant, Houser, Bailey, Pendergrass, Hoffman, O’Connell & Goyak. Doug’s career spanned over six decades and included an incredible breadth and depth of accomplishments, history, and accolades. The full list would be worthy of a biography, but the highlights include:
- Serving by special appointment of the Oregon Supreme Court as an Oregon State Circuit Court judge pro tem, sitting in six counties.
- Holding various leadership roles within the Oregon State Bar throughout his career including service as a member of the Board of Bar Examiners, Chair of the Continuing Legal Education Committee and Judicial Administration Committee, member of the Board of Governors, and Chair of the Judicial Fitness Commission.
- Serving on the Board of Overseers of the National Judicial College and the RAND Institute for Civil Justice, part of the well-known “think tank” located in Santa Monica, California.
- Leadership within professional organizations in positions such as past-Chair of the 35,000 lawyers that make up the American Bar Association’s Torts & Insurance Practice Section; past President of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel; and Treasurer and member of the Board of Directors of the Defense Research Institute.
- Fellow in the American Law Institute; and Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and American College of Trial Lawyers.
- Service as an Officer and Director of NIKE, Inc., which he incorporated and for which he served as General Counsel for many years.
- Community service roles including serving four terms on the Stanford Law School Board of Visitors, the Episcopal Church as Senior Warden of his parish, a member of the Board of Directors of the Episcopal Diocese, a Vice Chancellor of the Diocese, and serving on Boards for the Eagle Scouts, the Salvation Army and Waverly Children’s Home.
While Mr. Houser was recognized nationally for his many professional accomplishments, in our halls, he will be remembered most for his positivity, integrity, tenacity, humor, and kindness.
Obituaries and Retrospectives
Douglas Houser Obituary
The Oregonian, October 4, 2024
Doug Houser, longtime Nike lawyer and board member, dies at 89
The Oregonian, October 8, 2024
