Title: Remembrances of the Honorable Harold R. Tyler, Jr
Abstract: Judge Harold R. Tyler, Jr. was born in Utica, New York in 1921 and grew up in nearby Waterville. It was on basketball court playing for Phillips Exeter Academy that Judge Tyler earned nickname Ace, which stuck with him for life. After graduating from Princeton in 1943, Judge Tyler enlisted in U.S. Army and served in World War II rising to rank of Captain. Upon returning from war, he attended Columbia Law School in New York City. Following graduation in 1949, Judge Tyler practiced law in New York City. He thrived on courtroom work and handled cases for corporate clients like GE on which he cut his teeth. From 1953 to 1955, Judge Tyler served as an Assistant United States Attorney for Southern District of New York where he continued to build his trial experience. In 1958, Judge Tyler became head of Civil Rights Division in U.S. Department of Justice. In that role, Judge Tyler spearheaded fight for desegregation in South. His legal efforts to foster desegregation had a deep impact on many Americans at this changing time in our country's history. For example, his office drafted what became 1960 Civil Rights Act. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy appointed Judge Tyler a United States District Judge for Southern District of New York. During his tenure on bench, Judge Tyler presided over many well-known cases, including a leading series of class action decisions known as Eisen v. Carlisle & Jacquelin, which went up to appellate courts and back on several occasions. (1) Judge Tyler often remarked that he had been asked to apply for Second Circuit Court of Appeals but chose not to pursue opportunity since it would have been a life sentence to law review. Put differently, Judge Tyler so loved give-and-take of courtroom that serving as a trial judge was only judicial role he ever wanted. In 1975, Judge Tyler was asked by President Gerald Ford to serve as Deputy Attorney General of United States. It was a time when country was still reeling from effects of Watergate. Judge Tyler's efforts to promote uniform application of rule of law were quite profound and helped bring back a high sense of integrity within Justice Department. In 1977, following close of Ford Administration, Judge Tyler decided to return to New York and practice law. He had his choice of any number of prominent law firms in New York City. He chose Patterson Belknap because he felt it was a place where he could build a top-flight litigation department, but could also engage in various public service projects at same time. For Judge Tyler, practice of law was always about public service. He constantly devoted himself not just to paying clients but to any number of projects that benefited world at large. Judge Tyler was Chair of ABA's Judiciary Committee during 1980s. In this capacity, he reviewed various nominations to U.S. Supreme Court and other appointments to federal judiciary. He also made many friends in ABA throughout United States. On any number of occasions, would meet a lawyer in some far-flung part of country who would ask to say hello to Judge Tyler. It was hard to imagine how anyone could know so many people. It was January 1985 when first encountered Judge Tyler upon joining Patterson Belknap as an associate. On my first day at work, a call came in from the Judge, as he was known at firm. Young man, Judge began, I hear you have just joined us from clerking on Court of Appeals. One of our young partners is working on something which is right up your alley. The call, like many, ended with a hearty chuckle and a request to come to his office. When you entered Judge Tyler's office it had all trappings befitting his stature as a former District Judge and Deputy Attorney General of United States. …
Publication Year: 2007
Publication Date: 2007-09-22
Language: en
Type: article
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