Léon René Yankwich (1888-1975) was a judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court (1927-35) and in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of California (1935-64). He presided over one of the first cases under the Smith Act, as well as cases involving the ownership of the Elk Hills oil fields, and the Hollywood 10. He also contributed many articles to law reviews and published books. The collection consists of Yankwich's correspondence, manuscripts of speeches, photographs, memorabilia, legal papers, books, and other printed material including manuscripts for his books It's libel or contempt if you print it and The nature of our freedom.

Léon René Yankwich was born on September 25, 1888 in Jassy, Roumania; LLB, Williamette University in 1909; JD (1926), LLD (1929), Loyola University (Los Angeles); came to the U.S. in 1907; admitted to California and Oregon bar, 1909; practiced law in Modesto, California (1909-16) and Los Angeles (1916-27); judge, Los Angeles County Superior Court, 1927-35; judge, U.S. District Court of the Southern District of California, 1935-64; presided over one of the first cases under the Smith Act, as well as cases involving the ownership of the Elk Hills oil fields, and the Hollywood 10; contributed many articles to law reviews; published books include It's libel or contempt if you print it (1950) and The nature of our freedom (1950); he died on February 9, 1975.

103 Linear Feet (206 boxes and 26 oversize boxes)

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