Blumenauer and Kobayashi Honored

Blumenauer and Kobayashi Honored

Lewis & Clark Law School honored U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer ’70, JD ’76 as its distinguished graduate at a special awards banquet November 8 at the law school. In addition, the school recognized attorney Bert T. Kobayashi Jr. as an honorary alumnus. 

“Earl Blumenauer has devoted his career to public service, first in the legislature, then in the City Council, and now in the Congress,” said James Huffman, law school dean and Erskine Wood Sr. Professor of Law. “He has been a leading proponent of livable cities and public transportation. And he wears a bow tie.”

Bert T. Kobayashi Jr., a member of the law school’s board of visitors, has been a generous contributor to and advocate for the law school. “Bert is the lead partner in one of Honolulu’s top law firms and a leader in the Hawaii legal community,” added Huffman.

The law school presents the Distinguished Graduate Award to individuals who have used their Lewis & Clark law degree to make a positive mark on the community and the legal profession and whose contributions have brought honor and distinction to the law school. It presents the Honorary Alumnus/a Award to individuals who are not graduates of the law school but whose generosity, support, commitment, and leadership play a profound role in enhancing the institution.