Sidney I. Lezak

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Sidney Lezak
United States Attorney for the District of Oregon
In office
1961–1982
PresidentJohn F. Kennedy
Lyndon B. Johnson
Richard Nixon
Gerald Ford
Jimmy Carter
Ronald Reagan
Succeeded byCharles H. Turner
Personal details
BornNovember 8, 1924
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedApril 24, 2006 (aged 81)
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Chicago (BA, JD)
Military service
Branch/service United States Army
Battles/warsWorld War II

Sidney I. Lezak (November 8, 1924 – April 24, 2006) was an American lawyer who served as the United States Attorney for the District of Oregon from 1961 to 1982. Appointed acting U.S. Attorney by John F. Kennedy in 1961, Lezak resigned in 1982.

Early life and education[edit]

Lezak was born in Chicago, the son of immigrants from the Russian Empire.[1] During World War II, Lezak served as a member of the United States Army Air Forces, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. After the war, Lezak earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago.[2]

Career[edit]

Lezak moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1961, where he worked as an attorney and partner in the firm of Bailey, Lezak, Swink & Gates. In 1961, Lezak was nominated to serve as United States Attorney for the District of Oregon by then-president John F. Kennedy. Lezak's nomination was blocked by newly elected senator Maurine Neuberger. From 1961 to 1964, Lezak served as acting United States Attorney until his nomination was again submitted by Lyndon B. Johnson and he was confirmed by the United States Senate. Lezak served until his retirement in 1982. After leaving government, Lezak re-established a private legal practice, specializing on dispute resolution.[3][4]

Personal life[edit]

Lezak died on April 24, 2006, in Portland, Oregon, at the age of 81.[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Sidney I. Lezak: An Oral History
  2. ^ "Sidney I. Lezak (1924–2006)". www.oregonencyclopedia.org. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  3. ^ Turner, Wallace; Times, Special To the New York (1981-12-06). "OREGON'S U.S. ATTORNEY SINCE '61 LEAVING JOB (Published 1981)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  4. ^ Hammer, Susan M. (12 June 2006). "A Tribute To Sid Lezak: Oregon's Johnny Appleseed of Dispute Resolution". www.mediate.com. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  5. ^ "Sidney Lezak Obituary". Albany Democrat-Herald. 2006-04-25. p. 7. Retrieved 2020-12-26.