Roger J. Traynor was born in Park City, Utah, graduated from the University of California with degrees in Political Science and Law. He taught in the Political Science Department of the University and from 1920-1940 was a Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (Boalt Hall). In 1940 he was appointed to the California Supreme Court, he served as Chief Justice of the Court from 1964 until his retirement in 1970. Chief Justice Traynor was responsible for several notable court decisions among which are Sharp v. Perez which involves the issue of miscegenation and People v. Cahan which banned the use of evidence obtained by illegal methods. He is also credited with creating an area of law now known as Products Liability. Following retirement he returned to teaching, accepting several visiting positions in the United States and abroad. In 1971 he joined the Sixty-Five Club Faculty of the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. During this time he served as the chairman of the American Bar Association Special Committee on Standards of Judicial Conduct which formulated the Judicial Conduct Code. He also was the chairman of the National News Council. Chief Justice Traynor died May 14, 1983.
From the description of Roger J. Traynor collection, 1940-1983 (bulk 1970-1983). (Hastings College of the Law). WorldCat record id: 57719078
