William G. East
Encyclopedia
William G. East was an American
jurist in the state of Oregon
. He served as a judge on the United States District Court for the District of Oregon
in Portland, Oregon
, and as a state circuit judge. A native of Kansas
, he served in the United States Army Reserve
during World War II
.
on April 25, 1908. He attended the University of Oregon
in Eugene, Oregon
, where he earned a LL.B.
degree in 1931. The following year he earned a juris doctorate from the university’s law school.
, East entered private legal practice in Eugene, remaining until 1942 when World War II
interrupted his practice. From 1942 to 1946 he served in the United States Army Reserve
as a captain. After leaving the Army he returned to private practice in Eugene in 1946. That year he also began a two-year term as Eugene's city attorney.
In 1949, East began serving as judge on the Oregon Circuit Court for the Second Judicial District, remaining until 1955. On May 2, 1955, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower
nominated him to the United States District Court for the District of Oregon
to replace judge James A. Fee who had been elevated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
the prior year. East was confirmed as a federal district judge by the United States Senate
on June 7, 1955, and received his federal commission the following day. As judge, in 1960 he issued an injunction against a local water district in a racially charged case where the African-American residents of a Parkrose, Portland, Oregon
, were discriminated against by the local water district.
From 1964 to 1965 future Oregon Attorney General
Hardy Myers
was a law clerk for East. In 1964, East made national headlines for ordering U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy
to show why an Oregon lawyer should not be paid for defending a criminal defendant he had been ordered to defend by the federal court. In what Time
magazine said was “may be the neatest constitutional argument of the year,” East justified the expenditure under the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment
to the United States Constitution
.
, he often sat as a federal appeals court judge for the Ninth Circuit on three judge panels.
William G. East died on April 27, 1985 at the age of 77 in Eugene, Oregon
, of congestive heart failure. He was buried on May 2, 1985 at Willamette National Cemetery
near Portland, Oregon
. Louise died December 17, 2001 and was buried at the cemetery as well.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jurist in the state of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. He served as a judge on the United States District Court for the District of Oregon
United States District Court for the District of Oregon
The United States District Court for the District of Oregon is the Federal district court whose jurisdiction comprises the state of Oregon. It was created in 1859 when the state was admitted to the Union...
in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, and as a state circuit judge. A native of Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, he served in the United States Army Reserve
United States Army Reserve
The United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the reserve components of the United States Army....
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...
.
Early life
William East was born in Lecompton, KansasLecompton, Kansas
Lecompton is a city in Douglas County, Kansas, United States. It is part of the Lawrence, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 608 at the 2000 census. Lecompton played a major historical role in pre-Civil War America as the Territorial capital of Kansas from 1855 to 1861...
on April 25, 1908. He attended the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
in Eugene, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
, where he earned a LL.B.
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
degree in 1931. The following year he earned a juris doctorate from the university’s law school.
Legal career
After graduation from law schoolLaw school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
, East entered private legal practice in Eugene, remaining until 1942 when 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...
interrupted his practice. From 1942 to 1946 he served in the United States Army Reserve
United States Army Reserve
The United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the reserve components of the United States Army....
as a captain. After leaving the Army he returned to private practice in Eugene in 1946. That year he also began a two-year term as Eugene's city attorney.
In 1949, East began serving as judge on the Oregon Circuit Court for the Second Judicial District, remaining until 1955. On May 2, 1955, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
nominated him to the United States District Court for the District of Oregon
United States District Court for the District of Oregon
The United States District Court for the District of Oregon is the Federal district court whose jurisdiction comprises the state of Oregon. It was created in 1859 when the state was admitted to the Union...
to replace judge James A. Fee who had been elevated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is a U.S. federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* District of Alaska* District of Arizona...
the prior year. East was confirmed as a federal district judge by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on June 7, 1955, and received his federal commission the following day. As judge, in 1960 he issued an injunction against a local water district in a racially charged case where the African-American residents of a Parkrose, Portland, Oregon
Parkrose, Portland, Oregon
Parkrose is a neighborhood in the Northeast section of Portland, Oregon.The Parkrose plat was filed October 5, 1911. A branch post office of Portland was established there in 1921....
, were discriminated against by the local water district.
From 1964 to 1965 future Oregon Attorney General
Oregon Attorney General
The Oregon Attorney General is a statutory office within the executive branch of the state of Oregon, and serves as the chief legal officer of the state, heading its Department of Justice with its six operating divisions. The Attorney General is chosen by statewide partisan election to serve a term...
Hardy Myers
Hardy Myers
Hardy Myers is a lawyer and Democratic politician who served three terms as attorney general of the state of Oregon, United States...
was a law clerk for East. In 1964, East made national headlines for ordering U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy
Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy , also referred to by his initials RFK, was an American politician, a Democratic senator from New York, and a noted civil rights activist. An icon of modern American liberalism and member of the Kennedy family, he was a younger brother of President John F...
to show why an Oregon lawyer should not be paid for defending a criminal defendant he had been ordered to defend by the federal court. In what Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine said was “may be the neatest constitutional argument of the year,” East justified the expenditure under the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment
Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution
The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights, protects against abuse of government authority in a legal procedure. Its guarantees stem from English common law which traces back to the Magna Carta in 1215...
to the United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
.
Later life and family
East married Louise Wilhelm, and they would have one daughter named Sarah Elizabeth. On April 10, 1967, he became a senior judge for Oregon’s only federal court. After assuming senior statusSenior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
, he often sat as a federal appeals court judge for the Ninth Circuit on three judge panels.
William G. East died on April 27, 1985 at the age of 77 in Eugene, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
, of congestive heart failure. He was buried on May 2, 1985 at Willamette National Cemetery
Willamette National Cemetery
Willamette National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located about southeast of the city of Portland, Oregon. The cemetery encompasses straddling the county line between Multnomah and Clackamas Counties. Up to the end of 2005, there had been 126,561 interments.- History :Plans to...
near Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. Louise died December 17, 2001 and was buried at the cemetery as well.