Phil S. Gibson
| Phil Sheridan Gibson | |
|---|---|
| 22nd Chief Justice of California | |
|
In office June 1940 – August 30, 1964 | |
| Appointed by | Governor Culbert Olson |
| Preceded by | William H. Waste |
| Succeeded by | Roger J. Traynor |
| Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court | |
|
In office October 2, 1939 – June 1940 | |
| Appointed by | Governor Culbert Olson |
| Preceded by | William Langdon |
| Succeeded by | Roger J. Traynor |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
November 28, 1888 Grant City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died |
April 28, 1984 (aged 95) Monterey County, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Missouri (A.B., LL.B.) |
Phil Sheridan Gibson (November 28, 1888 – April 28, 1984) was the 22nd Chief Justice of California for more than 24 years, and one of the longest serving in that office.
Biography
Gibson was born in Grant City, Missouri on November 28, 1888.[1] He was the son of W. J. (William Jesse) and Mollie (Huntsman) Gibson. He attended the University of Missouri, graduating in 1912 with both an A.B. and LL.B..
Gibson moved to Los Angeles in 1922, establishing a practice, teaching at Southwestern Law School, and becoming active in Democratic politics. He served as a campaign advisor to Culbert Olson in 1938, and the governor rewarded him with the position of Director of Finance, and then in 1939, with an appointment to the Supreme Court of California. He served as Chief Justice from 1940 to 1964. At the time of his appointment, he was the second youngest Chief Justice in the court's history.[2] When Gibson retired on August 31, 1964, Governor Jerry Brown elevated Roger J. Traynor from Associate Justice to the position of Chief Justice, and Stanley Mosk filled the empty seat as Associate Justice.[3]
Gibson's lengthy tenure was notable for his efforts to modernize the administration of the courts, to set up a mechanism to remove unfit judges, and to supply the Supreme Court with a staff of research attorneys. Gibson's court was highly respected nationally, both for Gibson's opinions and for those of Traynor.[4]
Gibson died in Monterey County, California on April 28, 1984.
References
- ↑ "In Memoriam" (PDF). California Supreme Court Historical Society. 1986. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "New Chief Justice Takes Oath". Madera Tribune (46). California Digital Newspaper Collection. 20 June 1940. p. 2. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- ↑ "Brown May Tap Mosk For Court". Madera Tribune (64). California Digital Newspaper Collection. 11 August 1964. p. 2. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- ↑ The Yale Biographical Dictionary of American Law, Roger K. Newman, ed., 2009, pp. 219-220. ISBN 9780300113006
External links
- Phil S. Gibson. California Supreme Court Historical Society.
- Past & Present Justices. California State Courts. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
See also
| Legal offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by William H. Waste |
Chief Justice of California 1940–1964 |
Succeeded by Roger J. Traynor |
| Preceded by William Langdon |
Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court 1939–1940 |
Succeeded by Roger J. Traynor |