Mitchell Hamline School of Law Mitchell Hamline Open Access The Opinion 10-1969 William Mitchell Opinion - Volume 12, No. 1, October 1969 William Mitchell College of Law Follow this and additional works at: https://open.mitchellhamline.edu/the-opinion Recommended Citation William Mitchell College of Law, "William Mitchell Opinion - Volume 12, No. 1, October 1969" (1969). The Opinion. 20. https://open.mitchellhamline.edu/the-opinion/20 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by Mitchell Hamline Open Access. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Opinion by an authorized administrator of Mitchell Hamline Open Access. For more information, please contact [email protected]. WILLIAM MITCHELL COLLEGE OF LAW D Volume 12 St. Paul, Minnesota, October, 1969 No. l Burger Era Begins By Roger A. Christianson Seldom in American history has a 1931 with the LL.B. magna cum Eighth Circuit and a member of the man been given the opportunity to laude. Immediately upon graduation school's Board of Trustees, read in affect the lives of all his countrymen he became associated with the law part: and those of future generations. The firm of Boyesen, Otis and Faricy. "He has stool for integrity in pro­ power of the Supreme Court, good Justice Burger eventually became a fession, for vigor in advocacy, for or evil, can scarcely be underesti­ partner in that firm which was later responsibility in government, for mated. If it cannot shape the destiny to become known as Faricy, Burger, progressive change, and for the recog­ of our country, it unquestionably Moore and Costello. He practiced nition and the resolution of human can exert an enormous influence law in St. Paul until 1953 when he problems." in that direction. was named an Assistant Attorney In 1955 as Justice Burger was about Thus, it was with great pride that General of the United States. During to leave his position with the At­ William Mitchell College of Law his two years with the Attorney Gen­ torney General's office and return to greeted the nomination and installa­ eral's office he distinguished himself the pras:tice of law in Minnesota he tion of Warren E. Burger as 15th as chief of that office's civil division. was nominated by President Eisen­ Chief Justice of the United States. Soon after his graduation from law h0wer to fill a vacancy on the United The nomination not only repre­ school Justice Burger joined his law States Court of Appeals for the Dis­ sented the additional contribution of partner, James C. Otis, as a member trict of Columbia. Since that date the state of Minnesota to a position of his alma mater's part-time faculty. he has served as a distinguished of national leadership, but also was He taught courses in contracts and member of that Court which deals a great victory for the night law trusts and later became a member with so much controversial and diffi­ student. There never before has been of the law school corporation. He cult litigation. a night law student present on continued to teach and to serve as a Throughout his career the new the Supreme Court. corporation member until leaving for Chief Justice has been interested in Chief Justice Burger's appoint­ Washington upon his appointment legal education and in the improve­ ment bears special significance in as Assistant Attorney General. ment of the profession. His article, a period of important social and During his years of practice and A Sick Profession, 27 Fed. Bar J. 228 economic change. The new Chief teaching in St. Paul, Justice Burger (1967), attests to his interest in the Justice when appearing before the was active in Bar Association work training of the trial bar and his con­ Senate Judiciary Committee re­ and civic affairs. Years later he was cern for its prestige. He has given frained from espousing any fixed to give this advice to his law school's generously of his time to Phi Alpha doctrines and since his appointment graduating seniors: Delta Law Fraternity's Inns of Court has carefully avoided obvious attempts "It makes little difference which program, a program designed to pro­ by national writers to label his politi­ political party you decide best ex­ duce interest and competence in ad­ cal philosophy. His efforts are most presses your point of view. A politi­ vocacy among law students. He appreciated in avoiding· any erosion cal party is merely a tool, a means served as chairman of one of the sub­ in the politics of hope and individual to an end. But identify yourself committees of the American Bar rights. Those who attempt to label with one of them. Never be afraid of Association's Committee on Minimum Burger at this point are making a any local, state or national area - Standards of Criminal Justice and, Warren E. Burger posed in judicial robes shortly before he was great mistake based on the views of never, never be afraid to take sides when Judge J. Edward Lumbard 11 sworn in as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. those that know him best. no matter how controversial the occa­ stepped down as chairman of the Born in St. Paul in 1907 Justice sion or the problem may be." entire committee Justice Burger suc­ Burger lived his early life on that In 1955 and again in 1964 Justice ceeded him. city's east side where he attended Burger delivered commencement ad­ His associates in the local bar re­ public high school while carrying dresses at his alma mater. He has member him as a fair yet vigorous newspapers and working at various continued to take an active interest advocate and he enjoys their highest other part-time jobs. Following his in his law school and is numbered esteem and respect. There has been graduation from high school he at­ among its most generous and loyal and will continue to be great specu­ SBA Election Results tended the University of Minnesota supporters. In 1964 William Mitchell lation over the course that the court for two years and then entered night Coilege of Law bestowed upon Jus­ may take under his guidance; as to At the first summer meeting of the WM Board of Governors, Steve law school at what was known as the tice Burger the highest honor it can this, only time will tell. However, Wheeler, Senior, was elected as the President of the Student Bar Associa­ St. Paul College of Law. As do most give: it conferred upon him the hon­ those who know Justice Burger are tion. Serving with him on the Executive Committee will be Roger Chris­ evening law school students, he orary degree of Doctor of Laws. confident that his leadership will be tianson, Vice-President, Dick Kavaney, Secretary, and Jim Lawton, Secretary. worked during the day while attend­ The citation, prepared by one of firm and that his decisions will be As a result of the class elections held last spring the composition of the ing classes at night. Justice Burger's oldest friends, Harry sound and these virtues are of the ut­ Board of Governors is as follows: Second Year - Bruce Armstrong, Jim Law­ Justice Burger was an outstanding A. Blackmun, Judge of the United most importance in these difficult ton, Ken Schivone, and John Colosimo; Third Year - Bruce Olander, Dave law student and was graduated in States Court of Appeals for the times. Watson, Ron Johnson, and Dick Kavaney_; Fourth Year - Steve Wheeler, Roger Christianson, Don Day, and Ben Brunsvold. The Board will be fur­ ther enlarged after the First Year elections in October. Over the summer months the SBA Board of Governors held several meet­ ings to map out plans for this year and to work on certain projects. This Last spring a proposal was made to column is intended to communicate actions taken by the Board and projects the Trustees for a professional person contemplated for later this year. to be hired to serve as an Alumni Publishing of Opinion Association director and Graduate The major task undertaken by the SBA this summer was the putting to­ Placement Service Coordinator. A gether of the first OPINION in over a year. Much of the work was done by response by the Board commended members of the Board, but a great deal of effort was contributed by other the suggestion but stated that funds interested students. The next edition of the paper is slated for late December were not available at this time for and any assistance by interested students would be enthusiastically accepted. such an undertaking. The deadline for copy will be November 10. This year students will be informed We wish to announce that the annual bus trip to the Stillwater Prison about w:here their $2 SBA fee goes. (complete with free beer) will be held in the fall instead of the spring. Ar­ The Treasurer is in the process of rangements are presently being worked out liy Ken Schivone and the exact compiling a Budget to be made dates and times will be publicized shortly. public. Negotiations are now underway with the North Star Insurance Agency for How many students would like their publication of the WM Student Directory. As contemplated the direc­ the opportunity to ride along in a tory will contain both home and business telephone numbers unless a stu­ squad car of the Minneapolis or dent expresses a desire to keep his business number private. St. Paul police departments? If a The Dean's suggestion that WM students again participate in the active substantial number respond favorably committees of the Minnesota State Bar Association has been warmly received there is a good chance that a pro­ by the Board.