Max Raskin
Max Raskin (November 8, 1902 – August 22, 1984) was a Latvian American immigrant, lawyer, and judge. Raskin served as Milwaukee City Attorney from 1932 to 1936 and later served as a Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge in Milwaukee County from 1963 to 1973.
The Honorable Max Raskin | |
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Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the Waukesha Circuit, Branch 1 | |
Acting | |
In office August 1, 1978 – December 8, 1980 | |
Preceded by | William E. Gramling (Disabled) |
Succeeded by | Harry G. Snyder |
Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the 22nd Circuit, Branch 1 | |
Acting | |
In office May 1977 – July 31, 1978 | |
Preceded by | William E. Gramling (Disabled) |
Succeeded by | Circuit abolished |
Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the 2nd Circuit, Branch 2 | |
In office October 1963 – August 1973 | |
Appointed by | John W. Reynolds, Jr. |
Preceded by | Michael T. Sullivan |
Succeeded by | George Burns |
Milwaukee City Attorney | |
In office 1932–1936 | |
Preceded by | John Niven |
Succeeded by | Walter Mattison |
Personal details | |
Born | Latvia | November 8, 1902
Died | August 22, 1984 81) Milwaukee, Wisconsin | (aged
Cause of death | Cancer |
Resting place | Spring Hill Cemetery Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
Spouse(s) |
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Children |
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Education | Marquette Law School |
Life and career
Raskin was born to Jewish parents in rural Latvia and emigrated with his family at the age of nine.[1] He graduated from the Marquette University Law School in 1926 and practiced in Milwaukee as a labor law attorney.[2] Raskin ran unsuccessfully for Milwaukee County District Attorney in 1930.[3] In 1932, he was elected Milwaukee City Attorney as a Socialist, unseating nonpartisan incumbent John M. Niven.[4] After his election, Raskin appointed former judge and Socialist politician William F. Quick as his first assistant and employed Edwin Knappe, a former Socialist state Representative, as an assistant city attorney.[5] As city attorney, Raskin collaborated closely with Mayor Daniel W. Hoan, also a Socialist, and required assistant city attorneys to relinquish any employment in private practice.[6] He was harshly criticized by the conservative Milwaukee Sentinel for "his refusal to prosecute communistic rioters".[7]
Raskin was defeated in his 1936 reelection bid and reentered private practice. In 1937, he was elected as a national committeeman of the Socialist Party of America[8] but, in 1940,[9] he left the party and joined the Wisconsin Progressive Party. In 1944, he became a Democrat.[1] Raskin ran for judicial office in 1949 and 1956 but was twice defeated; in 1963, his political ally Governor John W. Reynolds, Jr., appointed him to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court.[10] Raskin served on the court until 1973 and, following his mandatory retirement at the age of 70, continued to serve the state as a reserve judge. In that capacity, he stepped in as Acting Circuit Court Judge in Waukesha County for Judge William E. Gramling during a lengthy struggle with cancer.[1] He died in 1984 at the age of 81.[1]
Raskin's nephew,[11] Marcus Raskin, was a progressive activist and social critic.
References
- "Former circuit judge, Max Raskin, dies of cancer". The Milwaukee Journal. 22 August 1984. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- "Max Raskin, Two Others Form Law Firm". The Milwaukee Sentinel. 27 December 1958. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- "For Circuit Judge in Branch 8". The Milwaukee Journal. 26 February 1949. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- "Women Voters' League Reports on Candidates". The Milwaukee Sentinel. 13 March 1932. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- "Raskin Ousts Six Niven Aids". The Milwaukee Sentinel. 20 April 1932. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- "Rivals Batter Raskin; All 5 See Victory". The Milwaukee Sentinel. 17 March 1936. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- "Milwaukee Rebukes Radicalism". The Milwaukee Sentinel. 9 April 1936. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- "Hoan Leaves Party Board". The Milwaukee Journal. 29 March 1937. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- "Raskin Seeks Judge's Post, Campaign Spending Curb". The Milwaukee Sentinel. 6 November 1955. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- "Raskin Is Appointed Circuit Court Judge". The Milwaukee Journal. 9 October 1963. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- "Milwaukeean Raskin Has Served Presidents". The Milwaukee Journal. 6 January 1968. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
External links
- Judge Max Raskin at Find a Grave
- Elaine Hilda Rosenblith Raskin at Find a Grave
- Bonnie Fern Raskin Prager at Find a Grave
Legal offices | ||
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Preceded by Michael T. Sullivan |
Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the 2nd Circuit, Branch 2 1963 – 1973 |
Succeeded by George Burns |
Preceded by William E. Gramling (Disabled) |
Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the 22nd Circuit, Branch 1 (Acting) 1977 – 1978 |
Succeeded by Circuit abolished |
Preceded by William E. Gramling (Disabled) |
Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the Waukesha Circuit, Branch 1 (Acting) 1978 – 1980 |
Succeeded by Harry G. Snyder |