Norman Redlich
Encyclopedia
Norman Redlich was an American lawyer
and academic. As a lawyer he is best remembered for his pioneering work in establishing a system of pro bono defense for inmates in New York State who did not have the finances for a lawyer. He was also a staff member of The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
, known unofficially as the Warren Commission. He played an instrumental role in developing the Single bullet theory
. In 1960 he joined the faculty of the New York University School of Law
, where he was later Dean from 1974 to 1988.
during World War II
; afterwhich he earneed his B.A. degree from Williams College
in 1947, and his L.L.B. degree from Yale University
law school in 1950. He then worked for his parents company for most of the 1950s while simultaneously pursuing further graduate work at New York University
. He received his LLM from the NYU law school in 1955. He joined the faculty at NYU in 1960.
appointed Redlich as a special assistant on the Warren Commission
. He was credited with disproving the Belin Theory, which related to a city bus ticket
in Lee Harvey Oswald
's pocket helping him escape to Mexico
. However, controversy arose when Gerald Ford
provided J. Edgar Hoover
with a probe into Redlich's past and found that he was on the Emergency Civil Liberties Committee
, which defended very controversial cases, including those of political activists and communists that the ACLU and other rights group did not.
Following a leak to right-wing politicians, on May 5, 1964, Ralph F. Beermann
accused Redlich of defending Cuba
on various issues. This incident and the ECLC ties led many to consider Redlich a communist sympathizer.
by then-mayor John Lindsay
.
In 1975, Redlich became dean of NYU Law School. From 1977 to 1999, Redlich was a member of the Vermont Law School
board of trustees. In 1993, he received the highest award given to lawyers by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
, the Whitney North Seymour Award. In 1996, he was awarded the Robert J. Kutak Award, given annually by the American BAR association's educational department to those who it feels have made outstanding contributions in the field of legal education.
Redlich was chairman of the American Jewish Congress
national governing council. He was also a member of the executive committee of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, and a member of the board of directors of The New Press. He died on June 10, 2011.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and academic. As a lawyer he is best remembered for his pioneering work in establishing a system of pro bono defense for inmates in New York State who did not have the finances for a lawyer. He was also a staff member of The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
Warren Commission
The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy, known unofficially as the Warren Commission, was established on November 27, 1963, by Lyndon B. Johnson to investigate the assassination of United States President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963...
, known unofficially as the Warren Commission. He played an instrumental role in developing the Single bullet theory
Single bullet theory
The single bullet theory was introduced by the Warren Commission in its investigation of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy to explain what happened to the bullet which struck Kennedy in the back and exited through his throat...
. In 1960 he joined the faculty of the New York University School of Law
New York University School of Law
The New York University School of Law is the law school of New York University. Established in 1835, the school offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in law, and is located in Greenwich Village, in the New York City borough of Manhattan....
, where he was later Dean from 1974 to 1988.
Early life and education
Born in the Bronx in 1925, Redlich was the second and youngest child born to Pauline and Milton Redlich. His parent were Jewish and they owned a small company which manufactured gardening and plumbing equipment. He served in the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
; afterwhich he earneed his B.A. degree from Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
in 1947, and his L.L.B. degree from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
law school in 1950. He then worked for his parents company for most of the 1950s while simultaneously pursuing further graduate work at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. He received his LLM from the NYU law school in 1955. He joined the faculty at NYU in 1960.
Warren Commission Years
In 1963, J. Lee RankinJ. Lee Rankin
J. Lee Rankin was the 31st United States Solicitor General, from 1956 to 1961. In 1952, Rankin managed the Dwight Eisenhower for President campaign in Nebraska and in 1953, Eisenhower selected Rankin to serve as United States Assistant Attorney General.Known for his straightforward, quiet, and...
appointed Redlich as a special assistant on the Warren Commission
Warren Commission
The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy, known unofficially as the Warren Commission, was established on November 27, 1963, by Lyndon B. Johnson to investigate the assassination of United States President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963...
. He was credited with disproving the Belin Theory, which related to a city bus ticket
Ticket (admission)
A ticket is a voucher that indicates that one has paid for admission to an event or establishment such as a theatre, movie theater, amusement park, zoo, museum, concert, or other attraction, or permission to travel on a vehicle such as an airliner, train, bus, or boat, typically because one has...
in Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald was, according to four government investigations,These were investigations by: the Federal Bureau of Investigation , the Warren Commission , the House Select Committee on Assassinations , and the Dallas Police Department. the sniper who assassinated John F...
's pocket helping him escape to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. However, controversy arose when Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
provided J. Edgar Hoover
J. Edgar Hoover
John Edgar Hoover was the first Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States. Appointed director of the Bureau of Investigation—predecessor to the FBI—in 1924, he was instrumental in founding the FBI in 1935, where he remained director until his death in 1972...
with a probe into Redlich's past and found that he was on the Emergency Civil Liberties Committee
National Emergency Civil Liberties Committee
The National Emergency Civil Liberties Committee was an organization formed in 1951 to "to reestablish the freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and The Bill of Rights", and was called the Emergency Civil Liberties Committee until 1968...
, which defended very controversial cases, including those of political activists and communists that the ACLU and other rights group did not.
Following a leak to right-wing politicians, on May 5, 1964, Ralph F. Beermann
Ralph F. Beermann
Ralph Frederick Beermann was a Nebraska Republican politician.Born near Dakota City, Nebraska, USA, Ralph Frederick Beermann graduated from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa and then attended various Army specialist schools...
accused Redlich of defending Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
on various issues. This incident and the ECLC ties led many to consider Redlich a communist sympathizer.
Later years
In 1972, he was named as corporation counsel of New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
by then-mayor John Lindsay
John Lindsay
John Vliet Lindsay was an American politician, lawyer and broadcaster who was a U.S. Congressman, Mayor of New York City, candidate for U.S...
.
In 1975, Redlich became dean of NYU Law School. From 1977 to 1999, Redlich was a member of the Vermont Law School
Vermont Law School
Vermont Law School is a private, American Bar Association accredited law school located in South Royalton, Vermont . The Law School has one of the United States' leading programs in environmental law, and the Law School is currently ranked #1 in Environmental Law by U.S...
board of trustees. In 1993, he received the highest award given to lawyers by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights under Law, often simply The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights or Lawyers' Committee, is a civil rights organization that was founded in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy.-Origins: 1963-1973:...
, the Whitney North Seymour Award. In 1996, he was awarded the Robert J. Kutak Award, given annually by the American BAR association's educational department to those who it feels have made outstanding contributions in the field of legal education.
Redlich was chairman of the American Jewish Congress
American Jewish Congress
The American Jewish Congress describes itself as an association of Jewish Americans organized to defend Jewish interests at home and abroad through public policy advocacy, using diplomacy, legislation, and the courts....
national governing council. He was also a member of the executive committee of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, and a member of the board of directors of The New Press. He died on June 10, 2011.
Miscellaneous
- Redlich has authored several books on law
- Norman Redlich's son is TV producer/writer Ed RedlichEd RedlichEd Redlich is an American television producer. He was the executive producer for Without a Trace, for which he wrote 5 episodes, as well as the executive producer for Shark starring James Woods....
. - Norman Redlich's younger daughter, Carrie A. Redlich, MD, MPH, is Professor of Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine and the Acting Director of the Yale Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program