Pesonen, David E., 1934-

David E. Pesonen (b. 1934) was an environmental activist, lawyer, and judge in the San Francisco Bay Area. After graduating from Boalt Hall School of Law, at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1968, he began work at a San Francisco law firm and became involved in the anti-nuclear movement. He was elected chairman of Californians for Nuclear Safeguards, and was one of the authors of Proposition 15, an unsuccessful 1976 ballot initiative to restrict nuclear power production in California. He was also involved in the successful opposition of proposed nuclear power plants near Bodega Bay, in Sonoma County, and Point Arena, in Mendocino County. In 1979, Pesonen was appointed by Governor Edmund "Jerry" Brown, Jr., to the office of Director of Forestry. In the final days of Governor Brown's term in office, he appointed Pesonen to the Superior Court in Contra Costa County. Pesonen ran unsuccessfully for re-election to the post in 1984.

From the description of David E. Pesonen papers, 1953-1987 (bulk 1961-1984). (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 690014192

David E. Pesonen, following his leadership in opposing nuclear power plants at Bodega Bay and Point Arena, California, headed California's initiative campaign for the Nuclear Standards Act in 1976. He was a member of the State Board of Forestry, 1977-1979, and director of the Dept. of Forestry under Governor Jerry Brown, 1979-1983. He served as judge of the Superior Court in Contra Costa County, 1983-1985, and general manager of the East Bay Regional Parks District from 1985-1988. During the 1970s, he was an attorney with the San Francisco law firm of Garry, Dreyfus, McTernan, and Brotsky, and since 1988 he has been with the Oakland law firm of Saperstein, Mayeda, Larkin, and Goldstein.

From the description of Oral history interview with David E. Pesonen, 1992. Transcript. / by Ann Lage, Regional Oral History Office, University of California, Berkeley for the State Government Oral History Program, California State Archives. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 214973712

Biographical Information

David Pesonen was an environmental activist, lawyer, and judge in the San Francisco Bay Area. After graduating from Boalt Law School, at the University of California, in 1968, he began work at a San Francisco law firm and became involved in the anti-nuclear movement. He was elected chairman of Californians for Nuclear Safeguards, and was one of the authors of Proposition 15—an unsuccessful 1976 ballot initiative to restrict nuclear power production in California. He was also involved in the successful opposition to proposed nuclear power plants near Bodega Bay, in Sonoma County, and Point Arena, in Mendocino County. In 1979 Pesonen was appointed by Governor Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. to the office of Director of Forestry. In the final days of Governor Brown's term in office, he appointed Pesonen to the Superior Court in Contra Costa County. He ran unsuccessfully for reelection to the post in 1984.

From the guide to the David Pesonen papers, 1921, 1947-1987, 1961-1984, (The Bancroft Library.)