Pollak, Walter H. (1887–1940)

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POLLAK, WALTER H. (1887–1940)

Walter H. Pollak, an active supporter of civil liberties, argued a number of important cases before the Supreme Court. He represented the defendant in gitlow v. new york (1925) and, although he lost that case, succeeded in convincing the Court that the fourteenth amendment incorporates the first amendment guarantees of freedom of the press and freedom of speech against the states. With zechariah chafee, Pollak served on the Wickersham Committee and investigated "lawlessness in law enforcement." He also took part in whitney v. california (1927) and successfully defended the "Scottsboro boys" in powell v. alabama (1932) and norris v. alabama (1935).

David Gordon
(1986)

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