Although yet a young man, T. L. Christianson of Oakland, California, is considered one of the best trial lawyers on the Pacific coast and has made for himself a reputation along lines of medical jurisprudence and toxicology. He is deeply informed along these lines and is often drawn into important cases for consultation.
T. L. Christianson is a native son of Oakland, his day of birth being February 16, 1880. His parents are Captain H. O. and Karen (Thompson) Christianson, and he is of Norwegian descent. He spent his boyhood in Washington county, Oregon, and there in his early years received a limited education. At the age of seventeen he retraced his steps to Oakland, his sole asset, other than his character and ability, being an indifferent country-school training. In this city he attended for a short time public and night schools, acquiring a competent business training. Early in life he studied dentistry to some extent, acted as clerk in a drug store and later was a student in the offices of various physicians. His ability was recognized when he was appointed an assistant to the surgeon-general under Governor Pardee. While he filled this position he also read law. Making removal to Indiana, Mr. Christianson attended the University of Valparaiso, there passing his junior year in the law department. His senior work was done at the American Central Law School of Indianapolis, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Laws degree, being one of the foremost in his class. He took the bar examination before even obtaining his diploma and was thereupon admitted to practice in the courts of Indiana. He has since been admitted to practice before the department of the interior united patent office. In Indianapolis he first began active work in connection with one of the foremost firms of the Hoosier state, Holtzman & Coleman, there gaining a wide practical knowledge.
After about two years he returned to California in April, 1912, and was admitted to the courts of this state, opening an office in the Pantages building at Oakland. No long novitiate awaited him in this city, as he soon demonstrated his ability to successfully handle the most intricate cases and he is now accorded a most lucrative practice. As Mr. Christianson specializes in medical jurisprudence and toxicology his library along these lines is extensive. He is often called into consultation by his colleagues and is considered one of the foremost authorities in the state on these subjects. Mr. Christianson also acts as California representative for the firm of Bradford & Doolittle, patent attorneys, who have offices in Indianapolis and Washington, D. C. Mr. Christianson is particularly effective in criminal defense and in this field has made himself widely known. He has distinct oratorial ability, a convincing manner and a pleasing personality, and his services are ever in demand by those who are unfortunate enough to fall under suspicion. Quiet and determined, he cannot be moved by sarcasm or ridicule to precipitate action, always preserving his dignity and clear judgment. It is but natural, therefore, that he has great influence on court and jury and that he succeeds in winning most of his cases. A recent honor which has come to Mr. Christianson is his election to membership in the Medico-Legal Society of New York.
Mr. Christianson married Miss Elizabeth L. Spencer on March 28, 1907, and they have four children: Lawrence Spencer, Blaine Ingersoll, and twins, Elizabeth Avis and Lorraine Enid.
Past and Present of Alameda County California, Vol. II
Published in Chicago by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1914
Pages 142-145
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 5/30/2008,
Alameda County Biographies ~
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