Stoel Rives associate Kirk Maag was recently profiled in the Oregon State University alumni magazine The Oregon Stater. Maag, an OSU honors student with a degree in environmental economics, policy and management, discussed his roots growing up on a 700 acre farm in eastern Oregon as well as the role OSU professor Dr. Fred Obermiller had in his decision to practice environmental and natural resources law.
"I always knew I wanted to do something related to agriculture or natural resources," said Maag. "[Dr. Obermiller] married law and natural resources in a way I hadn't thought of. And he thought there were too few people with an agricultural background involved in natural resource law and policy."
Maag added that lessons from the family farm are with him always. "Its values of community, knowledge and servant leadership are evident in my daily actions." Whether he's reviewing a farmer's water rights or drafting a forester's property-sale agreement, Maag said he is never far from his roots.