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Miles Lord Roberta Walburn

Miles Lord By Roberta Walburn

Miles Lord by Roberta Walburn


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Miles Lord Summary

Miles Lord: The Maverick Judge Who Brought Corporate America to Justice by Roberta Walburn

This is the story of Miles Lord (1919-2016), who rose from humble beginnings on Minnesota's Iron Range to become one of the most colorful and powerful judges in the country, described as an unabashed Prairie populist and a live-wire slayer of corporate behemoths. He cut a wide swath through history on his path to the bench: coming of age alongside a cadre of young Midwestern social-gospel progressives, including Hubert H. Humphrey, Eugene McCarthy, and Walter Mondale, in the days before they reached national fame; teaming with Bobby Kennedy as a hotshot prosecutor in pursuit of Jimmy Hoffa; and serving as the secret envoy between his friends Hubert and Eugene in their battle for the soul of the Democratic party in the historic 1968 presidential campaign. Later, after donning his black robe, he reshaped jurisprudence with precedent-breaking rulings-on issues ranging from women's rights to consumer protection to education reform-and breaking trail when he ordered the shutdown of the Reserve Mining Company in northern Minnesota, which was spewing its waste into Lake Superior, in the most sensational trial of the early environmental era.

One of Judge Lord's landmark cases-and interlaced as a centerpiece narrative of this book-involved the Dalkon Shield intrauterine device, which caused horrific infections in thousands of women, resulting in infertility and sometimes death. Author Roberta Walburn served as the judge's law clerk during that litigation in 1983-84, and she provides a page-turning account (both an insider's view and an in-depth chronicle) of what was called one of the most disastrous episodes of American corporate misconduct. In the end, more than 200,000 women received nearly $3 billion in compensation, and the Fortune 500 defendant was left in ruins. But Judge Lord was hauled up on judicial misconduct charges for his no-holds-barred actions that were certainly provocative but also stand as a timely reminder, even (or especially) today, of the challenges in balancing the scales of justice for a legal system that too often skews to the rich and powerful.

The author deftly weaves the Dalkon Shield drama into the larger story of the life of a one-of-a-kind man, crafting a sweeping and spirited true-life tale with not only her first-hand experiences as the judge's law clerk but also with unrestricted access to the judge's personal files. This is a rare and compelling portrait of a remarkable man and his place in both Minnesota and U.S. history.

Miles Lord Reviews

An intimate, compelling portrait of a courageous and exceptional man who believed in justice and never backed down.-Jonathan Harr, author of A Civil Action

Miles Lord set a new standard for judicial courage by speaking truth to power and fighting for the rights of the downtrodden. He shook up the system-and we're all in his debt for that.-Walter Mondale

This long-overdue biography of Miles Lord, the Iron Ranger Hubert Humphrey lauded as 'a people's judge,' puts his legacy in context as it recalls his work fighting corruption and pollution, standing up for women and gender equity in sports, and looking out for 'the little guy.' This is storytelling-and high drama-at its best.-John Bessler, University of Baltimore School of Law and author of The Birth of American Law

Every student of history and lover of justice should read this book. Judge Lord's biography could have no better author than his clerk, Roberta Walburn who is also a champion of justice and has fought corporate malfeasance her entire career.-Linda Lipsen, chief executive officer, American Association for Justice

Roberta Walburn has written a brilliant biography for our time. The personal behind-the-bench insights superbly illuminate Miles Lord's legendary moral backbone, and constantly remind us of the urgent need for courageous judges prepared to confront corporate greed and coverup, as government oversight is curtailed.-Peter Pringle, author of Big Tobacco at the Bar of Justice


A book that's hard to put down, providing insight not only into Lord's colorful life, but into the heyday of Minnesota liberal politics, the legal machinations of corporations and the inside workings of the judicial system.-Star Tribune

A rollicking and spirited biography.-U.S. District Judge John Tunheim, Law360

Walburn weaves the Dalkon Shield drama into the larger story of the life of Lord.-Twin Cities Pioneer Press

Absorbing and page-turning.-MinnPost

This biography memorializes a legacy of defending rights regardless of the rule book. Miles Lord's ideology rings true, now especially, as a reminder to Americans to look out for the voices of all people.-Minnesota Monthly

This well-constructed and detailed work will especially appeal to those with a legal background.-Library Journal

Walburn's biography keeps the legacy alive.-Minnesota Good Age

A fitting, fascinating remembrance of a judge willing to stake his reputation on the powerless, rather than on the powerful.-Minnesota Brown

An engaging insider's look at the powerful federal judge who boldly mixed social gospel and reformist sentiments.-CHOICE

Miles Lord is an enjoyable book written to honor a true individualist who broke the mold.-Trial Magazine

Walburn's admiration for Lord is genuine and heartfelt. The book is well worth reading for its vivid portrayal of a singular crusading judge - a nearly extinct form of public servant.-Minnesota Alumni

Fascinating side stories flow through Walburn's lucid prose.-National Catholic Reporter

About Roberta Walburn

Roberta Walburn is an attorney based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she has been named one of the most influential members of the legal profession in state history and recognized by the University of Minnesota for shaping the legal landscape for the benefit of society. Previously, she worked as a reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Buffalo (N.Y.) Evening News and as a legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, as well as serving as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge Miles Lord.

Table of Contents

Prologue

1. Boyhood on the Range, 1919-1937

2. The Dalkon Shield Quagmire

3. Young Man in the Cities, 1939-1948

4. Courtroom No. 1

5. Hotshot Prosecutor, 1951-1952

6. Meeting the Enemy

7. Political Wunderkind, 1954-1960

8. Lawyers Objecting, Witnesses Stonewalling

9. Persecutor of Organized Crime, 1961-1965

10. Judge Lord Goes to Richmond

11. The People's Judge, 1966

12. On the Trail of Secret Documents

13. Presidential Politics, 1968

14. Sweeping Corporate Headquarters

15. Election, 1968

16. The Brink of Settlement

17. Bold on the Bench, 1969-1972

18. The Speech

19. Judge Lord versus Reserve Mining, 1973-1974

20. A. H. Robins Fires Back

21. Reserve Mining versus Judge Lord, 1974-1976

22. The Judge Stands Accused

23. Fire and Brimstone, 1976-1981

24. Endgame

Afterword

Acknowledgments

Notes and Sources

Selected Bibliography

Index

Additional information

CIN1517902312VG
9781517902315
1517902312
Miles Lord: The Maverick Judge Who Brought Corporate America to Justice by Roberta Walburn
Used - Very Good
Hardback
University of Minnesota Press
20171001
344
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - Miles Lord