Finding Aid for the Léon R. Yankwich Papers LSC.0538
Finding aid prepared by James V. Mink, August 1959, additions by Dydia Delyser, May 1989; machine-readable finding aid created
by Alight Tsai.
UCLA Library Special Collections
Online finding aid last updated 2003.
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
Business Number: 310-825-4988
Fax Number: 310-206-1864
spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Title: Léon R. Yankwich papers
Creator:
Yankwich, Léon R. (Léon René), b. 1888
Identifier/Call Number: LSC.0538
Physical Description:
103 Linear Feet
(206 boxes and 26 oversize boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1909-1959
Abstract: 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.
Physical Location: Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Restrictions on Access
Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the physical objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright,
are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright
and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Léon R. Yankwich, 1959.
Gift of Peter E. Yankwich, 1975.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Léon R. Yankwich Papers (Collection 538). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research
Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
Processing Information
Processed by James V. Mink, August 1959; additions processed by Dydia Delyser, May 1989.
Collections are processed to a variety of levels depending on the work necessary to make them usable, their perceived user
interest and research value, availability of staff and resources, and competing priorities. Library Special Collections provides
a standard level of preservation and access for all collections and, when time and resources permit, conducts more intensive
processing. These materials have been arranged and described according to national and local standards and best practices.
We are committed to providing ethical, inclusive, and anti-racist description of the materials we steward, and to remediating
existing description of our materials that contains language
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UCLA Catalog Record ID
Biography
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.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of correspondence, manuscripts of speeches, photographs, memorabilia, legal papers, books, and other printed
material by Léon R. Yankwich, pertaining to his career as a lawyer, judge, and author. Includes transcripts of trials, legal
briefs, articles, drafts of books, newspaper clippings, and other printed materials relating to copyright law and other legal
subjects. Includes manuscripts for his books
It's libel or contempt if you print it and
The nature of our freedom.
Expanded Scope and Content
This register lists contents of Judge Leon Yankwich's papers as packed by him for the Library. It is a temporary means of
locating material that may be called for. The collection will have to be sorted and arranged.
JVM (August 6, 1959)
Organization and Arrangement
Arranged in the following series:
- Material regarding Yankwich's federal judgeship appointment.
- Los Angeles Superior Court correspondence files.
- U.S. District Court correspondence files.
- Addenda.
- Addenda no.2.
- Clippings, election precinct results, and memorabilia.
-
Tomorrow: February (2 copies), March, June-July 1924; February 1925. Housed in Southern California Serials (Collection 1601 T598 Box
147). Available at UCLA Library Special Collections.
-
Sports & Vanities: November, December (2 copies) 1926; January, February (2 copies), March (2 copies), May, November 1927. Housed in Southern
California Serials (Collection 1601 S764v Box 147). Available at UCLA Library Special Collections.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Judges -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archives.
Yankwich, Léon R. (Léon René), b. 1888
Material
re Yankwich's Federal Judgeship Appointment,
1935
box 1, folder 2
Envelope containing letters
re the appointment.
box 1, folder 3
Letters of recommendation.
box 1, folder 4
Copies of inauguration ceremonies.
box 2
Folders marked: Congrats. and numbered: I-V.
General Physical Description note: (5 folders)
Scope and Contents note
Letters of congratulation on his appointment.
box 3
Newspaper and magazine articles
re his appointment.
General Physical Description note: (3 folders)
Scope and Contents note
Also, legal papers.
box 4, folder 1
Papers
re the Melvin Butterbaugh Estate.
box 4, folder 2
Manuscript notes and sketches of his addresses,
1933-1934.
box 5, folder 1
Copies of law examinations given at Loyola University, Los Angeles, by Judge Yankwich.
box 5, folder 2
Marked: Crime and Criminals, and containing chiefly newspaper and magazine articles on this subject.
box 6, envelope 1
Newspaper clippings
re cases decided by Judge Yankwich in Portland, Oregon.
box 6, envelope 2
Newspaper clippings
re cases decided by Judge Yankwich in Tacoma, Washington.
box 6, envelope 3
Copies of letters of recommendation for appointment to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals vacancy,
1943.
box 7, box 8, box 9, box 10
The United States
vs. Arthur L. Bell, Transcript of Trial and opinion and indictment
General Physical Description note: [21 vol., typescript]
box 11
The United States
vs. San Francisco Electrical Contractors Association, Transcript of trial.
August 30, 1944.
General Physical Description note: (9 vol. [Typescripts])
box 12
Transcripts of trials
re World War II Selective Service Act violations.
General Physical Description note: [Typescripts]
box 13-14, 230-231
It's libel or contempt if you print it.. (book) by Judge Yankwich
General note
See Addenda, Box 120.
box 13
Typescript draft.
General Physical Description note: (2 copies)
box 14
Galley proof.
Scope and Contents note
Includes rough draft, notes and typescript draft for second edition.
box 230
Correspondence, contracts and reviews.
box 231
Reviews.
Scope and Contents note
Also, some reviews of his
The nature of our freedom.
Los Angeles Superior Court Correspondence Files,
1927-1935
General note
(Arranged Alphabetically)
U.S. District Court Correspondence Files,
1935-1949
General note
(Arranged Alphabetically)
box 27
Memos, local rules from various judges for period covered by correspondence,
1935-1949.
box 28
Material
re Los Angeles Superior Court Judgeship Campaign,
1934.
Scope and Contents note
Includes campaign letters, letters of endorsement and congratulation.
General note
See Addenda, Box 123.
box 29
Correspondence
re his candidacy for appointment to a vacancy in the 9th District Court of Appeals,
1934.
General Physical Description note: (2 folders)
box 29
Material concerning his appearance before the Senator Jack Teny Un-American Activities Investigation Committee,
1948.
Scope and Contents note
Includes correspondence, clippings, and a file of Yankwich's publications.
[Miscellaneous Material]
Scope and Contents note
In alphabetical order.
box 36
Material
re attack on Yankwich by Congressman Richard Vail,
March 27, 1952.
box 36
Material
re Lester Cole referred to in the Vail attack. Note books, manuscripts of articles, lectures, etc.
box 37-54, 56-59
Copies of printed articles and books.
General note
See Addenda, Box 120.
box 60, box 61, box 62, box 63
Lectures.
General note
See Addenda, Box 120.
box 55
Uncorrected galley proofs of his
The nature of our freedom.
General note
See Addenda, Box 120.
box 64, box 65, box 66, box 67
Material
re early cases in Los Angeles.
[Miscellaneous Materials]
Scope and Contents note
In alphabetical order.
box 77
L - M (remainder of alphabet lacking).
General note
[For M- R, see Boxes 125-128]
box 80
Papers relating to Modesto cases.
box 86
Miscellaneous legal papers.
box 87
State of Washington
vs. Angevine.
box 88
Snivley
vs.
Los Angeles Record.
box 88
Earl
vs. Examiner (briefs on appeal).
box 88
In the matter of the Press Association.
box 89
Snivley
vs. the Record (pleadings).
box 89
Alien land law and other opinions.
box 91
Early Los Angeles activities, Bar Association Business.
box 91
Typed originals of eight hour law briefs.
box 91
Modesto War Activities,
1914-1916.
box 92
Press Association briefs.
box 92
Brief and record in first Oregon case.
box 92
Deaman brief in eight hour law case.
box 93
Yankwich personal libel briefs.
box 106
U.S. District Court Opinions.
1935-1949.
General Physical Description note: (4 vol.)
box 106
Appelate Court Decisions (Department of Los Angeles Superior Court).
General Physical Description note: (1 vol.)
box 106
Circuit Court of Appeals.
General Physical Description note: (1 vol.)
box 107, box 108, box 109, box 110, box 111, box 112
Printed briefs, pleas, etc. of important cases, chiefly California.
Scope and Contents note
Includes typescripts.
box 112
Proceedings of the California Bar Association,
1917, 1920, 1924.
box 113
Material on California State Supreme Court Recommendations,
January 1958.
box 114
Personal items, including personal letters to
July 15, 1925.
box 115
Materials
re the following cases: U.S.
vs. Graham (refugee case); U.S.
vs. Smith; and U.S.
vs. Hunt.
box 116
Judicial questions [legal].
box 117
Report of Special Committee to investigate bankruptcy and receivership proceedings and administration of justice in U.S. Courts.
74th Congress, 2nd session.
box 117
Rupert Trumbull referee in bankruptcy materials.
box 117
Material on appointment to judgeship.
box 118
Briefs on women's eight hour law.
box 118
First brief in Oregon after passing bar examination.
box 118
Essay in long hand in Romanian
re the Romanian Fable.
box 118
Bill of Rights in the matter of impaneling of a grand jury.
box 119
Material
re Maude Hall
vs. Imperial Water Company.
box 119
Miscellaneous legal papers.
box 120
Judge Yankwich's book:
It's libel or contempt if you print it... Part Two, Chapters 7-15.
General Physical Description note: (Typescript draft, 2 copies)
Scope and Contents note
With holograph notes.
General note
[See also Box 13]
box 120
Judge Yankwich's book:
The Nature of our Freedom.
General Physical Description note: (Typescript draft)
Scope and Contents note
With holograph notes.
General note
[See also Box 55]
box 121
Written opinions filed by Judge Yankwich as a Judge of the Superior Court with indication of the issue of the Journal or News
in which they were published,
August 10, 1927-January 1, 1932.
General Physical Description note: (Typescript drafts, vol.1-3)
Scope and Contents note
With index [incomplete].
box 122
Written opinions filed by Judge Yankwich as a Judge of the Superior Court,
January 1, 1932-ca. 1935.
General Physical Description note: (Typescript drafts, vol.4-6)
Scope and Contents note
With indication of the issue of the Journal or News in which they were published.
box 123
re-election campaign.
1934
General Physical Description note: (Printed literature)
Scope and Contents note
Together with photostat copies of newspaper items covering the illegitimate parents epigram given by Judge Yankwich in Zipkin
vs. Mozon, June 1928.
General note
[see also Box 28]
box 123
Printed bound volumes with index of appeals from cases tried by Judge Léon R. Yankwich.
General Physical Description note: (vol.1-3)
box 124, folder 1
Bibliography of Léon R. Yankwich, J.D., LL.D. Chief United States District Judge Southern District of California Los Angeles, California.
General note
See also below, Addenda.
box 124, folder 1
Biographical Sketch for
Who's Who (Léon René Yankwich).
box 124, folder 1
Citizenship Ruling (Extension of Remarks of Honorable Cecil R. King of California in the
Congressional Record of
June 27, 1955.
box 124, folder 1
For Whom the Constitution? (Extension of Remarks of Honorable Cecil R. King of California in the
Congressional Record of ).
May 17, 1955
box 124, folder 2
Correspondence between Judge James H. Pope, Judge of the Municipal Court, Los Angeles Judicial District, and Judge Yankwich
(Separately indexed in detail for each year:
1955-1957, and 1959).
box 124, folder 2
Correspondence
1955
General Physical Description note: (Typescript leaves)
box 124, folder 2
Transmittal letter for
Its Libel or Contempt If you Print It,
The Nature of Our Freedom, and a biographical sketch,
August 8, 1955.
Scope and Contents note
Also refers to People
vs. Nathanson, 134 ACA 52, and to printing of personal stationery and cards.
box 124, folder 2
Reference to scrapbooks, titles and protocol of federal judges,
April 12, 1955.
box 124, folder 2
Transmittal for Talmud pamphlet,
April 7, 1955.
Scope and Contents note
Also refers to son as Assistant Professor of Chemistry at University of Illinois and to son's research project financed by
the Atomic Energy Commission (he is in the field of nuclear chemistry) and to his son's educational accomplishments at Berkeley
box 124, folder 2
Judge Pope's letter
re scrapbooks, Jewish Law and request to borrow copy of the Talmud article,
April 11, 1955.
Scope and Contents note
Refers to papers of a juror consisting of warranties of slaves and letters regarding dispositions and punishment of slaves,
and to sister's preservation of Pope family letters, etc., and to father's being a circuit rider of the Methodist Church in
Ohio; Chief Justice Warren's history of the anti-segregation issue and the unanimity of the Supreme Court's decision though
the deep South is represented on the court.
box 124, folder 2
Correspondence
1956
General Physical Description note: (4 typescript leaves)
box 124, folder 2
Transmittal letter for paper on Unfair Competition as an Aid to Equity,
May 16, 1956.
Scope and Contents note
Refers to The Art of Being A Judge lecture.
box 124, folder 2
Transmittal letter for cards giving chief publications, etc.,
February 29, 1956.
box 124, folder 2
Reference to Copeland Case and to individualization of punishment being legislatively destroyed through lack of understanding
of the indeterminate sentence,
February 20, 1956.
Scope and Contents note
Refers also to the enclosing of two articles (not by name).
Correspondence
1957
General Physical Description note: (5 typescript leaves)
box 124, folder 2
Judge Pope's thank you for copy of Individualization of Punishment in the Federal Courts,
December 22, 1957.
Scope and Contents note
Refers to lawyers' reaction to value of collection of Judge Yankwich's writings.
box 124, folder 2
Refers to appreciation of loan of Cornelius Cole papers and indexing of materials and impending retirement,
December 16, 1957.
box 124, folder 2
Refers to material and scrapbooks to be given to Judge Pope,
December 13, 1957.
Scope and Contents note
Mentions: position of retired federal judge, the keeping of litigation background materials, basement storage of career materials
(including the Snively Case), and the state of Ben Lindsey's unavailable materials.
box 124, folder 2
1959 Correspondence
General Physical Description note: (6 typescript and 1 photostat leaves)
box 124, folder 2
Transmittal for (1) five scrapbooks 1927-35; (2) Manuscript of opinions rendered as a Superior Court Judge; (3) three bound
books with index of appeals from cases tried showing wide range of problems,
May 20, 1959.
Scope and Contents note
This letter mentions 70th birthday gift of three printed volumes containing the published opinions from the
Pacific Reporter and the
Federal Reports, and encloses a photostat of the preface written by Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the United States.
box 124, folder 2
Judge Pope's letter acknowledging receipt of the letter of May 20 together with the three parcels of records for the Historical
Collection of the County Law Library; and forwarding a copy of Guide to Special Collections by UCLA (1958) and requesting
its return,
July 27, 1959.
box 124, folder 2
Requests that collection be consolidated at UCLA and describes the UCLA offer to catalog, etc.
August 3, 1959.
box 124, folder 3
Articles in
Federal Rules Decisions (2 lists of 22).
box 124, folder 3
Charge to Grand Jury (Reprinted from
Federal Rules Decisions, ).
October 1954
box 124, folder 3
Independence in the Judiciary (Extension of Remarks of Honorable Cecil R. King of California in the
Congressional Record of ); What Kind of Independence Do We Ask in the Judiciary?
June 7, 1955
box 124, folder 3
Magazine Articles (List of 33 with publication data).
box 124, folder 3
Magazine Articles (List of 47 with publication data).
box 124, folder 3
Narcotics and the Federal Law (Reprinted from
The Georgetown Law Journal (vol.43, no.1), ).
November 1954
box 124, folder 3
Parody and Burlesque in the Law of Copyright (Reprinted from
The Canadian Bar Review for ).
December 1955
box 124, folder 3
Individualization of Punishment in the Federal Courts (Reprinted from
20 Federal Rules Decisions, ).
August 1957
box 124, folder 3
An American Judge Looks at the Talmud (an address delivered before the Western Jewish Institute at Los Angeles, California ).
January 14, 1936
box 124, folder 3
Unfair Competition as an Aid to Equity in Patent, Copyright and Trade-Mark Cases.
box 124, folder 3
Reprints [12] of articles published,
1951-1959.
box 124, folder 3
Individualization of Punishment in the Federal Courts, Address delivered at the Inservice Training Institute..., Claremont
Men's College,
August 6, 1956.
General Physical Description note: (13 leaves, ozalid, 2 copies)
box 124, folder 3
Appellate Department Decisions of Judge L.R. Yankwich.
General Physical Description note: (192 leaves, typescript [carbon copy])
[Continuation of U.S. District Correspondence Files, (?)]
1935-1949
General note
[Continuation of the files contained in boxes 69-77]
box 129
Material relating to the Campaign of
1928.
General Physical Description note: (1 folder)
box 130, box 131, box 132, box 133, box 134, box 135, box 136, box 137, box 138
Reprints of articles written by Judge Yankwich beginning A.
box 130, box 131, box 132
box 133, box 134, box 135
box 136, box 137, box 138
box 139, box 140, box 141, box 142
Manuscripts of articles written by Judge Yankwich.
box 143, box 144, box 145, box 146, box 146
U.S. Court of Appeals assignments
box 143
A.B.L. Brewing
vs. C.T.R. to DeGarter
vs. F.T.C.
box 144
Eisinger
vs. Commissioner to Feil and Loeb
vs. F.T.C.
box 145
Gamewell Company
vs. Phoenix, Arizona to NLRB
vs. Jones Lumber.
box 146
NLRB
vs. Mountain Pacific, etc. to R.A.U.
vs. C.I.R.
box 147
Sidebotham
vs. Katz to Wong
vs. Sweir.
box 148
U.S. District Court decisions.
box 149, box 150, box 151, box 152, box 153, box 154, box 155, box 156, box 157
Newspaper articles and miscellaneous papers,
1929-1966.
box 158
Law-Mirror of Civilization, I Established Law and Justice, Libel Trials - I.
box 159
Libel Trials - II, some famous trials.
box 160
Some famous trials, recordings, U.S.
vs. Hunt.
box 161
Its Libel or Contempt....
box 162, box 163, box 164, box 165, box 166, box 167, box 168, box 169, box 170, box 171
box 172, box 173, box 174, box 175
General Correspondence, A - K.
box 176, box 177, box 178, box 179, box 180
General Correspondence, L - Z.
box 181, box 182
Miscellaneous papers from 3-Judge Navajo-Hopi trial in Prescott, Arizona; miscellaneous papers on 3-Judge Alcohol Beverage
Control case in San Diego.
box 183, box 184, box 185, box 186, box 187, box 188
Original manuscripts of articles.
box 189
Mrs. Yankwich's traffic ticket - correspondence, briefs.
box 189
Miscellaneous legal matters.
box 190
Notes on pleading and procedure.
box 190
Copy of
Federal courts, C.A. Wright.
box 191
Notes on common law pleading.
box 191
Court rules and rules of practice.
box 191
Citations - his own cases[?].
box 192
Letters of recommendation,
July 1935.
box 192
Letters urging Yankwich's appointment.
box 193
Printed material by Judge Yankwich.
box 193
Mats for newspaper photos.
box 193
Printed material about Judge Yankwich.
box 194
Miscellaneous clippings, not by or about Yankwich.
General note
[All of the above have been put into chronological order within files]
box 195
Lectures and writings by Yankwich.
box 195
Property - business, personal.
box 196
Printed materials, some by or about Yankwich.
Scope and Contents note
Includes Diary (1933), Opinion book, Book copywrights (by Yankwich), and Romanian newspapers.
box 197
Judges' salaries - statistics.
box 197
Administrative Office of U.S. Courts - correspondence and statistics.
box 197
Patent decisions - transcripts, etc.
box 198
Various personal files of correspondence and records.
Scope and Contents note
Includes biographical sketch, Salary memos, Helen Yankwich, UCLA Library, Retirement, Circuit court and Judicial conference.
box 199
Income tax records, other business and tax records.
box 200, box 201, box 202, box 203
[Various] books and magazines.
Additions
General Physical Description note: (Oversize material
General note
(dd, May 1989)
box 222
Voting results, by precinct,
1934.
box 229
Certificates, degrees, memberships, drawings, caricatures, portraits, etc.
General note
[Formerly oversize packages 1-4, see above]
