On October 26, GW Law presented the 2016 Honorable Charles R. Richey Equal Justice Award to the Honorable Paul L. Friedman, Senior District Judge for the District of Columbia, recognizing his contribution to equal justice in the United States.
During his visit, Judge Friedman shared highlights from his extensive legal career, joined by Alan B. Morrison, Lerner Family Associate Dean for Public Interest and Public Service Law, and Stephen A. Saltzburg, Wallace and Beverley Woodbury University Professor of Law. Both having long professional relationships with Judge Friedman, Dean Morrison and Professor Saltzburg were able to use the informal, conversational setting to interview him about a number of his experiences and accomplishments.
One highlight of the conversation focused on Judge Friedman inheriting the responsibility for overseeing the supervision of John Hinckley, Jr., the would-be assassin who shot and wounded President Ronald Reagan outside the Washington Hilton Hotel in 1981. Judge Friedman described the hearings, which resulted in Hinckley, who was found not guilty by reason of insanity, being permitted to leave St. Elizabeth’s hospital, initially under supervision. Eventually unsupervised trips with his parents were granted, and finally, Hinckley was allowed to leave the hospital to live with his parents under court-ordered supervision.
Judge Friedman explained why he left NYU School of Law to complete his legal education in Buffalo and how he came to clerk for two federal judges—one on the district court, and the other on the court of appeals—who greatly influenced his legal career. The conversation revealed that Judge Friedman was part of the legal team in the United States Attorney’s office that investigated the Watergate break-in that led to the resignation of President Nixon. His background also includes his work as Associate Independent Counsel in the Iran-Contra investigation during the administration of President Reagan.
In response to the suggestion that he seemed to have relished all of the roles he had played in the law – law clerk, federal prosecutor, partner at White & Case, D.C. Bar President, ALI Board member, and Judge – Judge Friedman confirmed that he truly enjoyed each step along the way. Towards the end of the conversation, he shared that they key to success was having the support of his wife Liz, “The secret is having a great marriage,” Judge Friedman said.
After the conversation, Dean Blake D. Morant handed Judge Friedman the Richey Award. He had the last word as he thanked GW Law, Dean Blake D. Morant, his colleagues, friends, and family.