Victor Rabinowitz Facts for Kids

Victor Rabinowitz (July 2, 1911 – November 16, 2007) was an American lawyer. He was known for helping people who spoke out for their beliefs and for supporting important causes in the 20th century. He worked to protect civil rights and freedoms for many people.

Background
Career
- Rabinowitz, Boudin Law Firm
- Associations and Groups
Personal Life and Death
Legacy
Works
See also

Background

Victor Rabinowitz was born in Brooklyn, New York. His father, Louis M. Rabinowitz, owned a factory and came from Lithuania. Victor studied at the University of Michigan. He earned his first degree in 1931 and then his law degree in 1934.

Career

Rabinowitz, Boudin Law Firm

After law school, Rabinowitz started working at a law firm called Hays, Podell and Shulmman. In 1938, he joined Louis B. Boudin, a lawyer who helped workers and was involved in important political movements.

In 1944, Victor Rabinowitz started a new law firm with Louis Boudin's nephew, Leonard Boudin. The firm was called Rabinowitz and Boudin. Today, it is known as Rabinowitz, Boudin, Standard, Krinsky & Lieberman in New York City.

This law firm helped many labor unions. They also assisted people who faced problems because of government investigations. The firm was deeply involved in civil rights work. During the Vietnam War, they defended people who spoke out against the war. They also helped those who refused to join the army for moral reasons.

Some famous people and groups they represented included:

Julian Bond (a civil rights leader)
Paul Robeson (a singer and activist)
Alger Hiss (a government official)
Benjamin Spock (a famous doctor)
Daniel Ellsberg (who shared important government papers)
Dashiell Hammett (an author)
The Church of Scientology
Jimmy Hoffa (a labor union leader)

The firm also represented the government of Chile under Salvador Allende. They have been the only U.S. legal counsel for the Cuban government since 1960. Other clients included Rockwell Kent, other unions, and the Fellowship of Reconciliation.

In November 1947, Rabinowitz ran for Congress. He was a candidate for the American Labor Party in New York.

Rabinowitz's client Elizabeth Gurley Flynn (center) in 1913. She is shown with leaders of the Paterson silk strike.

In 1951, Rabinowitz helped defend 17 members of the Communist Party. They were accused of planning to teach and support the violent overthrow of the government. Rabinowitz and other lawyers worked on their defense.

Rabinowitz argued many cases before the United States Supreme Court. This is the highest court in the country.

In 1963, his daughter Joni Rabinowitz was found guilty of lying under oath. This was related to her work for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Victor Rabinowitz won her release. He argued that the jury did not fairly represent the local Black population.

In 1984, he played a key role in the defense of Kathy Boudin. She was Leonard Boudin's daughter and was involved in a legal case concerning a robbery.

Associations and Groups

Rabinowitz helped create the National Lawyers Guild in 1937. He was its national president from 1967 to 1970. This group works for social justice and human rights.

From 1942 until the early 1960s, he was a member of the American Communist Party.

During the 1940s, he was active in the American Labor Party (ALP). He ran for office as a candidate for this party.

Personal Life and Death

Victor Rabinowitz was married two times. His first wife was Marcia Goldberg. After their divorce in 1967, he married Joanne Grant Rabinowitz. She was a filmmaker, journalist, and author.

He passed away at his home in Manhattan on November 16, 2007.

Legacy

Victor Rabinowitz was an important person during the civil rights and civil liberties movements. He worked hard to protect people's freedoms and rights.

He also chaired the Louis M. Rabinowitz Foundation, named after his father. This foundation supported civil rights leaders like Floyd McKissick.

Works

Unrepentant Leftist (1996)

Victor Rabinowitz facts for kids

Contents