Charles Kenady Legal Papers on Joseph L. Alioto v. Cowles Communications., Inc. Trials
Finding aid created by San Francisco History Center staff using RecordEXPRESS
San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
2023
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, California 94102
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
http://sfpl.org/sfhistory
Title: Charles Kenady Legal Papers on Joseph L. Alioto v. Cowles Communications., Inc. Trials
Dates: 1950-1977
Collection Number: SFH 707
Creator/Collector:
Kenady, Charles W. (Charles Watson), 1922-2013
Extent: 23 boxes
Repository:
San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
San Francisco, California 94102
Abstract: Legal files likely belonging to Charles Kenady, the lead attorney for the defendant, Cowles Communications, in the libel suit
brought by Joseph L. Alioto against the publisher of Look magazine.
Language of Material: English
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Collections that are stored off site should
be requested 48 hours in advance.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
[Identification of item]. Charles Kenady Legal Papers on Joseph L. Alioto v. Cowles Communications., Inc. Trials. Collection
Number: SFH 707. San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
Received from the University of San Diego's Pardee Legal Research Center on March 15, 2005. Provenance is unclear.
Biography/Administrative History
Charles W. Kenady was the lead attorney for Cowles Communications in the libel trials brought by Joseph L. Alioto. In 1969,
while Alioto was mayor of San Francisco, Look Magazine published an article linking him to organized crime. Alioto sued Cowles
Communications, Look's owner, for $12.5 million in damages. Alioto was awarded a $350,000 judgment after four trials spanning
eight years of legal battle.
Scope and Content of Collection
Legal files likely belonging to Charles Kenady, the lead attorney for the defendant, Cowles Communications, in the libel suit
brought by Joseph L. Alioto against the publisher of Look magazine. Includes depositions, investigative material of the magazine
article's authors, transcripts, discovery motions, trial exhibits, attorneys' notes, and jury selection documents.
Arrangement: Original folders and organization maintained. Series not created.
Trials (Libel) -- California.
Alioto, Joseph L., 1916-1998 -- Trials, litigation.
Look magazine -- Trials, litigation.
Cowles Communications -- Trials, litigation.
San Francisco (Calif.) -- History -- 20th century.