and repeatedly sat on appellate courts' panels, where he had more potential influence on the law than in a district court.
Generally thought fair by lawyers, Solomon shrugged off criticism that he had an abrasive judicial temperament. While he heavily ruled for Bill of Rights freedoms and minority opportunities and rights, he tempered those sympathies when judging accused or convicted criminals, certain types of draft offenders, and alleged Communists. Even then, he tried to provide due process of law, fair sentencing, improved prisons or substitutes for young draft resisters, and proper treatment of the mentally ill.
Since 1938-1939, Solomon had been a Jewish activist. Privately and through Jewish organizations, Judge Solomon labored for minority rights, coalitions with non-Jews and African Americans, Israel, and other issues. From the 1950s into the 1970s, he played a major role in opening Portland law firms and social clubs to Jews. But many changes in the 1960s, particularly the diminishment of New Deal liberalism, made him wary, angry, or both, and colored his judicial decisions.
Solomon married Elisabeth Willer in 1939. They had three sons—Gerald, Phillip, and Richard. He served on the District Court bench until his death on February 15, 1987. To honor Solomon's contributions to the law and to Oregon, Portland's Gus J. Solomon United States Courthouse was named for him in 1989.
Stein, Harry. Gus J. Solomon: Liberal Politics, Jews, and the Federal Courts. Portland: Oregon Historical Society Press, 2006.
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This entry was last updated on Feb. 17, 2020