Allen Broussard facts for kids

Allen Edgar Broussard (April 13, 1929 – November 5, 1996) was an important American lawyer and judge. He became an Associate Justice on the California Supreme Court. This is the highest court in California. He served there from 1981 to 1991.

About Allen Broussard

Early Life and Education

Allen Broussard was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, in 1929. His parents were Clemire and Eugenia Broussard. They were of Creole background. When he was 16, his family moved to California. His father worked as a longshoreman (someone who loads and unloads ships). His mother was a seamstress (someone who sews clothes).

Allen worked many part-time jobs to pay for his schooling. He went to San Francisco City College. Then he studied at the University of California at Berkeley. He also attended the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. While there, he helped write for the California Law Review.

Military Service and Early Career

After finishing law school in 1953, Allen Broussard joined the United States Army. He served for two years. He worked as a clerk typist. Later, he became a Chaplain's assistant in Germany.

After the Army, he worked for Justice Raymond E. Peters. Justice Peters was a judge on the California Court of Appeal. In 1959, Broussard started his own law practice.

Community Leadership

Allen Broussard was a key African-American leader in the East Bay area of California. He worked with other important figures like Norvel Smith. He also worked with Justice Clinton White. In 1972, Broussard made history. He was the first African American to become President of the California Judges Association. He also led the Center for Judicial Education and Research.

After he retired from being a judge, Broussard served on the Oakland Port Commission. This job involved visiting ports around the world. In 1987, he led a group of lawyers and city officials to China. They met the Mayor of Shanghai, Jiang Zemin. Shanghai is a "twin city" of San Francisco.

Becoming a Judge

First Appointments

Allen Broussard was one of the first African Americans to become a judge in California. In 1964, California Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown appointed him. He became a judge for the Municipal Court in Oakland.

His work impressed Governor Jerry Brown. In 1975, Governor Brown appointed him to the Superior Court of Alameda County. He later became the head judge of that court.

Serving on the Supreme Court

In 1981, Governor Jerry Brown chose Broussard for the California Supreme Court. He became an Associate Justice. He served until 1991. He followed Justice Wiley Manuel on the court.

On the court, Broussard was known as a liberal judge. He often agreed with Chief Justice Rose Bird. He wrote many of the court's main decisions.

Challenges and Retirement

In 1982, Broussard faced an election to keep his job. This was unusual for judges. Some people criticized him and other judges appointed by Governor Brown. They were called "Jerry's Judges." Critics said they made decisions based on personal opinions.

Broussard was reconfirmed for a 12-year term. He received 56% of the vote. This was lower than usual for a judge. In 1986, three of his fellow judges were voted off the court. This worried Broussard. He feared that politics would affect how judges made decisions.

On August 31, 1991, Allen Broussard retired from the court. Governor Pete Wilson then appointed Ronald M. George to his seat.

Personal Life

Allen Broussard met Odessa Monroe through a civic group he led. It was called Men of Tomorrow. He married Odessa in 1959. They had two sons, Keith and Craig.