After 47 years of penning the Law Review, until recently once a week, this is the end – my swan song. I love writing this column, always have. I intended to close out on my 80th birthday in May but my Trump-is-enriching-himself column was rejected by my publisher as “too controversial”. Rather than write and be censored, I’d rather not write. Overall, the Sierra Sun has been good to me so no hard feelings.

Arriving In Truckee

Allow me to indulge and tell you a bit of my Truckee story. Fresh out of law school and a year vagabonding in Europe with my brother Paul, I arrived in Truckee in the fall of 1973, hitchhiking from New York in three days. I was serving food to the cast and crew on the movie set of The Godfather II on Tahoe’s west shore. I intended to return to San Francisco to begin a career as a lawyer but saw a “Law Office” sign when driving through downtown Truckee. I parked, went upstairs, and long story short received a job offer from Stevens and Wood: I build my own office and they pay me $5 an hour. That was more than I had ever made. I was ecstatic and drove straight to Squaw Valley, now Palisades, purchased a season ticket and rented a locker for my brother and me. My life peaked.

For the first 10 years at Stevens and Wood, my legal assistant made more money than I did and deservedly so. Jim Simon soon entered the scene and with his leadership we soon became Porter Simon. The firm name expanded with each new partner finally reverting to Porter Simon after Porter, Simon, Graham, Phelps, and Cuttitta (especially Cuttitta) became unpronounceable. I retired last year after 50 years. It was a good run, very good. (Frankly, I don’t think they’ve noticed I’m gone). The quality and integrity of the lawyers and staff have always set Porter Simon apart.

Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation

A big milestone came with a call from Bill Hewlett, who I had done legal work for, asking if I would start a community foundation in Truckee. I eagerly agreed then looked up Community Foundation in the dictionary even before he told me the initial donation would be $1 million with a $1 million matching grant. For prospective, the week before I had earned $350 for the Lions Club allowing folks to throw cream pies in my face. Since its founding in 1998, Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation has awarded grants and scholarships totaling over $48 million.

Changing My Life

The primary joys in my life are my wife Marianne and our daughters Shanley and Kelsey. My brother Paul, unbeknownst to us, orchestrated a blind date at the Rotary Crab Feed in 1982. Paul was Marianne’s boss at Northstar. Earlier he introduced me to Jim Simon. Both of those introductions changed my life for the better.

As did the arrival of our daughters Shanley and Kelsey. Daddy’s girls. Both successful and happily married living in Bend and Portland, Oregon. Icing on the cake is (adorable) grandson June Thomas Poulin. The joys of being a grandparent are everything you’ve been told. I’m indeed blessed and fortunate to have called Truckee home for all these years. Lots of changes since the pandemic but I can’t imagine a better place to have spent most of my life.

Parting Words

In closing, thanks for allowing me to spend time with you for almost 50 years, which must be some kind of record – for better or for worse. My goals in writing were to keep it simple and relatable, and if possible, throw in some humor. With that let’s heed the advice posted on my wall: “It’s time we took control of how we are living by doing more of everything we like.”

So, take control of your life and make it a good one.

Here’s something I wrote when my brother Paul died in 2006: “Make time for others, certainly for your family and friends, coworkers, too. Find the positive in people. Put in a good word. Lead by example. Make a difference. Nurture friendships. Take time for your family, of course. And remember, life can be surprisingly short. Live it accordingly.”

See you down the road.

Jim Porter is a retired attorney from Porter Simon, formerly licensed in California and Nevada. Porter Simon has offices in Truckee California and Reno, Nevada. These are Jim’s personal opinions.  He may be reached at jameslporterjr@gmail.com. Like Porter Simon on Facebook. ©2026