James M. Dolliver (judge)

James Morgan Dolliver (October 13, 1924 – November 24, 2004) was an American lawyer, politician and justice of the Washington Supreme Court from 1976 to 1999, who also served as chief justice from 1985 to 1987.

The Honorable
James M. Dolliver
Justice of the Washington Supreme Court
In office
May 6, 1976 (1976-05-06) – March 1, 1999 (1999-03-01)
Nominated byDaniel J. Evans
Preceded byRobert C. Finley
Succeeded byFaith Ireland
Personal details
Born(1924-10-13)October 13, 1924
Fort Dodge, Iowa, U.S.
DiedNovember 24, 2004(2004-11-24) (aged 80)
Olympia, Washington, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseBarbara Jean Babcock
RelationsJames Isaac Dolliver (father)(Congressman, Iowa-6th District, 1944-1956)
Children6
Residence(s)Seattle, Washington
Alma materSwarthmore College (BA)
University of Washington School of Law (LLB)
OccupationLawyer, judge

Early life and education

Dolliver was born and raised in Fort Dodge, Iowa.[1] His mother, Elizabeth Morgent, died of polio when he was a newborn.[1] He graduated high school in 1942 and then joined the Navy Air Corps.[1][2] In 1944, Dolliver's father, James I. Dolliver, a University of Chicago-trained lawyer, was elected to Congress from the Sixth District of Iowa, serving in the House of Representatives for twelve years. A great-uncle, Jonathan P. Dolliver, had been a United States Senator from Iowa from 1900 to 1910.

After the end of World War II, Dolliver enrolled at Swarthmore College, and graduated in 1949. He received a LL.B. from the University of Washington School of Law in 1952.[3]

Dolliver took up private practice in Port Angeles and later in Everett. In 1953, Dolliver became the administrative assistant to Congressman Jack Westland (R-Everett), then became an attorney for the state House Republicans.[4] In 1964, Dolliver managed the campaign of Daniel J. Evans, who was elected governor.[3] Dolliver became Evan's chief of staff and political advisor. On May 6, 1976, Evans appointed Dolliver to the Supreme Court.[5] On January 14, 1985, he was sworn in as its new chief justice.[6] Soon after a re-election in 1992, Dolliver suffered a severe stroke in January 1993, but was able to continue working. In 1998, Dolliver announced he would retire at the end of his term.[7]

In 1992, an amendment to the State Constitution to include a "victim's rights" provision drew Dolliver's criticism on the grounds the constitution protects individuals against the government, but not the actions of other people.[8]

Honors

In 1993, Dolliver received the "Outstanding Judge of the Year" award from the Washington State Bar.[9]

In 2000, an endowed professorship was named in honor of Dolliver at the University of Puget Sound, for which he had served as a trustee.[10]

Personal life

Dolliver married Barbara Jean Babcock (January 28, 1927 – July 10, 2013), whom he met at Swarthmore, and they had six children.[11][12] Dolliver died on November 24, 2004.

References
  1. Clark, Norman H.; McKeehan, Susan (1999). "James M. Dolliver: An Oral History" (PDF). Secretary of State, State of Washington. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  2. U.S. Coast Guard Aviation: 1916-1996. Turner Publishing Company. 1997. ISBN 1563113600. List of Aviators, Entry 403, James Dolliver
  3. Welch, Craig (November 25, 2004). "James Dolliver, 1924-2004: High-court justice helped guide state with fairness, wit". Seattle Times. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  4. "Retired Justice James Dolliver dies at 80". Spokane Spokesman Review. Associated Press. November 25, 2004. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  5. Sheldon, Charles H. A Century of Judging. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press. p. 162. ISBN 0295803290. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  6. "4 new justices make history on high court", Spokane Chronicle (January 14, 1985), p. 3.
  7. "Ireland To Run Again For High Court". Seattle Times. March 17, 1998. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  8. "Victims' Rights Amendments Pass in 5 States". New York Times. November 8, 1992. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  9. "List of awards". Washington State Bar Association. Bar News. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  10. Ploof, Denise (Winter 2000). "Professorship Named for Esteemed Judge and Long-Time Puget Sound Trustee James Dolliver". University of Puget Sound News. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  11. "Barbara B. Dolliver Obituary". The Olympian. Legacy.com. July 17, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  12. Munro, Ralph (January 29, 2012). "Remarks of Ralph Munro: Olympia's African American Trailblazers". OlympiaHistory.org. Retrieved May 19, 2017.

Selected publications
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