Allen Derr

Allen Richard Derr (April 5, 1928 – June 10, 2013) was an American lawyer who won Reed v. Reed, a landmark United States Supreme Court decision issued in 1971 who strengthened anti-discrimination protections for women. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously for Derr's client, Sally Reed, who sued her estranged husband, Cecil, over who should administer the estate of their late son following his suicide.^[1] Derr argued before the Court that the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution forbid discrimination on the basis of gender.^[2] On November 22, 1971, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor Derr's client, Sally Reed, in a decision written by Chief Justice Warren Burger.^[2]

Born in Sandpoint, Idaho, Derr was the son of Idaho politicians. His father, Alfred M. Derr, served in the Idaho Senate.^[2] His mother, Hattie Derr, became Idaho's first female state Senator in 1937 when she was appointed to the Idaho Senate to fill in for her husband, who was suffering from appendicitis.^[2] He was raised in northern Idaho. Allen Derr worked as a state legislative page in 1941.^[2] He graduated from Clark Fork High School in Clark Fork, Idaho, in 1947.^[2] Derr earned both his bachelor's degree and law degree from the University of Idaho.^[2]

He ran unsuccessfully as a candidate for the Idaho Legislature during the 1960s.^[2] Derr later co-founded the Idaho Press Club and served on its board of directors.^[2] A resident of Boise, he continued to practice law until shortly before his death.^[1]

Allen Derr died from leukemia in Boise, Idaho, on June 10, 2013, at the age of 85.^[1][2] He was survived by his second wife, former Ada County Commissioner Judy Peavey-Derr.^[2] His first wife, Helen Derr, preceded him in death.^[2][3]

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