In Memory of Morris Galen

Galen, Morris (large) Color Headshot - edit

Tonkon Torp founding partner Morris Galen passed away on December 4 at the age of 97. An iconic, indefatigable attorney, he managed a legendary career for nearly 70 years. Up until the pandemic, even into his 90s, Galen still came daily into the office, still eager to get out, be busy, and keep an eye on the law firm he helped launch. 

Tonkon Torp, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in August 2024, owes much of its success to the leadership and legal acumen of Morris Galen.

Client Ronald Dodge, President & CEO of Hood River Distillers, said of Galen, “He was an exceptional negotiator and a defuser of tense moments. There was never a doubt that you were glad to have him on your side.”

Galen’s legal practice was focused on counseling closely held businesses in their wide ranging legal and financial problems. He was adept at providing strategic insight about the economic and tax complexities of business and real property transactions. He counseled clients in a variety of industries, including food and beverage, manufacturing, distribution, timber, transportation, professional services, and retail. He was one of the first attorneys in Portland to be a “tax specialist” and was so renowned at his work that many Portland businesses would not do business without consulting with Galen first.

 

A brilliant student, Galen graduated from high school at age 16, and commenced his higher education at University of Oregon just after his 17th birthday, earning his B.S. in 1947, Phi Beta Kappa, and attaining his J.D., Order of the Coif, in 1950. Legend indicates that he completed his law school education with the highest grades ever seen at that point at the University of Oregon Law School – and that in 1950 he was the youngest person ever admitted to the State Bar.

Galen at UO
Founding-Partners-Portrait

Galen dove into the practice of law, first as a solo practitioner after facing resistance from local firms unwilling to hire a Jewish attorney. He soon joined forces with the firm Jacob Jones and Brown and in 1960 he formed the law firm Tonkon & Galen with fellow Jewish attorney Moe Tonkon. According to Galen, the two were an ideal match:

Moe was one of the most highly respected lawyers…in Portland…He had a knack [for] dealing with people that was second to none. I will never forget the time one of my friends asked me about Moe. He said, ‘How good a lawyer is he?’ I said, ‘If Moe and I had handled the same matter, a major acquisition, this is what would happen: the other side would hire Moe the next time they needed a lawyer because they were so impressed by how warm and how efficient he was. The other side might hire me because they were so impressed by how tough I was.’’

The genesis of what would become Tonkon Torp LLP occurred in 1974 when the Tonkon, Galen & Baker law firm (by then the Heisman winner Terry Baker had joined Moe and Morrie) joined forces with attorneys Fred Torp, Brian Booth, Don Marmaduke and Ken Stephens as the seven partners of the new law firm originally called Tonkon, Torp & Galen.

Galen’s passion for the law was such that he worked decades after the typical retirement age – a goal he made work with his boundless energy and his commitment to health. When he turned 65 he hired a personal trainer to help himself stay fit and he was a regular participant in Tonkon Torp’s hikes at its annual lawyer retreat. Well into his mid-80s Galen participated in the annual 5-mile hike that he generally led. Hiking was one of Galen’s favorite hobbies outside of the office and he regularly planned extended hiking trips, in particular with his son Solana. For over 40 years the two hiked throughout the world including in such diverse locales as California's Sierra Mountains, Nepal, New Zealand, France, and Austria.

Outside of his dedication to his firm and clients, Morris Galen was a lifelong supporter of education. He served as a Reed College Trustee from 1976 to 2009, getting involved after his daughter Candace enrolled as a Reed student. He famously taught and guided generations of Tonkon Torp lawyers in the art of legal writing and ultimately helped establish the Galen Endowment for the Advancement of Legal Writing at the University of Oregon School of Law. Endowment funds support new upper-level writing courses, help advance professional writing in clinics and on law journals, work to increase the emphasis on writing in doctrinal law courses, and provide awards to celebrate outstanding student writing.

In addition to his support of education, Galen’s long career of community involvement included serving on the boards of the Shaarie Torah Synagogue and the Jewish Federation of Portland and regular involvement with the Oregon State Bar, including serving as Bar Treasurer, and participation on the Continuing Legal Education Committee and Board of Bar Examiners.

Galen is survived by his daughter and son, their families (including two grandchildren) and his law firm, Tonkon Torp LLP, now over 90 lawyers strong.

Tonkon Torp Managing Partner Kurt Ruttum said of Galen, “He was truly one of the great, complex figures in the history of Tonkon Torp and Portland. He always remained fiercely loyal to Tonkon Torp and its clients, and was generous to our community throughout his life. He was a great partner, mentor, and friend. He will be missed very much.”

Morris Galen and his son Solana on a trip to New Zealand.
Morris Galen and his son Solana on a trip to New Zealand.
Morris Galen and fellow Tonkon Torp attorneys Ron Greenman (left) and Ken Stephens (right) at a University of Oregon Law School alumni event.
Morris Galen and fellow Tonkon Torp attorneys Ron Greenman (left) and Ken Stephens (right) at a University of Oregon Law School alumni event.