Alfred Goodwin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alfred Goodwin
Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
In office January 31, 1991 – December 27, 2022
Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
In office October 1988 – January 31, 1991
Preceded by	James R. Browning
Succeeded by	John Clifford Wallace
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
In office November 30, 1971 – January 31, 1991
Appointed by	Richard Nixon
Preceded by	John Kilkenny
Succeeded by	Andrew Kleinfeld
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Oregon
In office December 11, 1969 – December 17, 1971
Appointed by	Richard Nixon
Preceded by	John Kilkenny
Succeeded by	Otto Richard Skopil Jr.
72nd Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
In office March 8, 1960 – December 19, 1969
Appointed by	Mark Hatfield
Preceded by	Hall S. Lusk
Succeeded by	Thomas Tongue
Personal details
Born	Alfred Theodore Goodwin (1923-06-29)June 29, 1923 Bellingham, Washington, U.S.
Died	December 27, 2022(2022-12-27) (aged 99) Happy Valley, Oregon, U.S.
Education	University of Oregon (BA, JD)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1943–1946 (Army) 1960–1969 (Reserve)
Rank	Captain (Army) Lieutenant colonel (Army Reserve)
Unit	United States Army Reserve, Judge Advocate General's Corps
Battles/wars	World War II

Alfred Theodore Goodwin (June 29, 1923 – December 27, 2022) was an important American judge. He worked in courts for many years. He was a federal judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. This is a very high court that hears appeals from lower courts. He also worked as a judge in a lower court in Oregon.

Judge Goodwin was known for his decisions in important cases. One famous case was about the Pledge of Allegiance. He wrote that saying the Pledge with "under God" went against the Establishment Clause. This part of the U.S. Constitution means the government cannot favor one religion. The Supreme Court later disagreed with his ruling. Goodwin believed that saying "under God" was like saying "under Jesus" or "under no god." He felt none of these could be neutral about religion.

Early Life and Education

Alfred Goodwin was born on June 29, 1923. His hometown was Bellingham, Washington. He went to the University of Oregon. In 1947, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then studied law at the University of Oregon School of Law. He received his law degree in 1951.

Serving in the Military

While in college, Goodwin served in the United States Army. He was a captain during World War II. Later, he also served in the United States Army Reserve. He was part of the Judge Advocate General's Corps. This group provides legal services to the Army. He reached the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Reserve.

Becoming a Judge

After law school, Goodwin worked as a lawyer. He practiced law for five years in Eugene, Oregon. Then, he began his career as a judge.

Oregon State Courts

Goodwin first served in Oregon's state courts.

• From 1955 to 1960, he was a Circuit Court judge.
• In 1960, he became a justice on the Oregon Supreme Court. This is Oregon's highest court.
• Oregon Governor Mark Hatfield appointed him to this role.
• He was elected to a full term later that year.
• Goodwin was re-elected in 1966.
• He left the Oregon Supreme Court in 1969. He was moving on to a federal judge position.

Federal Court Service

President Richard Nixon nominated Alfred Goodwin for a federal judge role.

• On December 11, 1969, he became a judge for the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. This court handles federal cases in Oregon.
• In 1971, President Nixon nominated him again. This time, it was for a higher court.
• On November 30, 1971, he became a judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. This court hears appeals from many western states.
• He served as the Chief Judge of the Ninth Circuit from 1988 to 1991.
• In 1991, he took senior status. This means a judge can work a reduced schedule.

Important Cases

Judge Goodwin was involved in several important legal cases.

Pledge of Allegiance Case

One of his most famous cases was Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow.

• This case was about the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Goodwin wrote the main opinion for the Ninth Circuit Court.
• He ruled that saying "under God" in the Pledge went against the Constitution.
• He believed it violated the idea of separation of church and state.
• The Supreme Court of the United States later heard the case.
• The Supreme Court reversed his ruling, but on different grounds.

White v. Samsung

Another notable case was White v. Samsung.

• This case was about a celebrity's right to control their image.
• Vanna White, the host of Wheel of Fortune, sued Samsung.
• Samsung had aired a commercial with a robot that looked like her.
• The robot was turning letters on a game board, similar to the show.
• Goodwin wrote the opinion that sided with Vanna White.
• This case helped define "right of publicity" laws.

Later Life and Legacy

Alfred Goodwin passed away on December 27, 2022. He was 99 years old. At the time of his death, he was the oldest federal judge still hearing cases. He was also the longest-serving federal judge. His long career showed his dedication to the law.