MY BRILLIANT CAREER BEGINS- THE JUDGE WILLIAM BEER SWEARING IN

The 40th anniversary of my swearing in as a Michigan attorney occurred on Dec1.  I generally mark neither the date nor the running total of years.  I feel like I have been a lawyer forever; yet I remember my early career-even the law school clerkships, as if it were yesterday.  Some cringe-worthy memories there.

For the past several months Martindale-Hubbell has been nice enough to send (to my spam folder) twice weekly reminders of the anniversary along with offers to buy various testimonials of the event.  "Celebrate Your Achievement With All the Expenses Appertaining Thereto".

So, I have had occasion to look back to the day of my swearing in at the Oakland County  Commissioners' Auditorium at 12:30pm on December 1, 1980, Circuit Judge William Beer administering the oath.  This was the "mass swearing in" event for Oakland County.  It didn't occur to me to ask one of my then boss's pals on the Wayne County Circuit bench to do the kind of special swearing in heavily featured on LinkedIn at present. 

I chose to be sworn in at Oakland County as that event was a week earlier than the Wayne County mass event, and for some reason I can't recall I wanted to get my ticket punched, and into the litigation fray as soon as possible.  Wouldn't that make a great LinkedIn post!

I left the office at about 11:30 and drove to the Courthouse.  No parents, no spouse (at the time) and no other cheering section with me.  No press, no pix.

I checked in, took a seat, rose with all others when directed, raised my right hand and took the oath.  Then we all sat down.

The event was timed to occur during the break between the morning and afternoon court sessions, so all the judges (or most of them anyway) were present.

Judge Beer spoke before administering the oath.  I remembered I was impressed by his words, though I do remember that he also included his views on the matter of the mandatory judicial retirement age.  He was against it.  You see, Judge Beer had been prevented from running in the November, 1980 election due to his age.  At the end of December 1980, he was being forced to give up his seat on the bench.

If there was a reception after the event, I didn't attend.  I went back to the office.  The end.  Remember, this was before LinkedIn and other such "Hey, look at me, ain't I the one", social media platforms, and the internet come to think of it.  If LinkenIn had been around, I might have arranged my swearing in differently, so I could write my own press release.  Something like:

"Humbled, Honored and Proud to have been sworn in as a lawyer today, by Judge___________ in his/her/their Wayne County Circuit Courtroom. See 8 attached pictures.  I chose to be sworn in by this judge (among many other offers) as he/she/they could swear me in soonest.  I didn't want to wait to get into court. Went straight back to work after the "event".  Tomorrow is motion day in Wayne County, and I will be arguing several motions to compel answers to interrogatories!  I am sure the judge will want to hear all about the discovery history on each case.  I have been waiting for this day all my life (well at least since I failed the math portion of the GMAT, so MBA school was out-note to self: probably should not include that).   Going to the Chop House tonight to celebrate!!! Look for more pix of that tomorrow.  #Ilovethelaw #humblebrag #narcissismRme #loanrepaymentbegins #ohyoukid #lookatme #ain'tItheone"

But, enough about me (said no one on LinkedIn ever).  Back to Judge Beer.

He apparently sued the state challenging the judicial age limit.

He lost.

During his judicial career, Judge Beer took the position that his income as a state employee was exempt from federal income tax. He claimed the amounts withheld as a refund.  Amazingly, for several years the IRS refunded that money, just because he asked.  From the decision in Beer v IRS:

"Petitioner, a lawyer and a judge of the Michigan Circuit Court, filed federal income tax returns for the tax years 1972-1975. In each of these returns received as a state court judge but claimed that this income was exempt from federal taxation under the United States Constitution. He therefore claimed the amounts withheld from his salary as a refund. The Internal Revenue Service refunded the amounts withheld routinely on the basis of the refund request on the face of the returns. !!!!! (emphasis, no shock, added)

He lost.

And, perhaps most interesting, Judge Beer led a double life for over 30 years.  Married to his wife Dora in 1930, and having 3 sons with her, he set up another household with his then secretary in 1946.  The couple had 9 children together.  Dora divorced William in 1979 after 49 years of marriage.  She said she did not learn of the judge's other family until after the divorce!!!

The story can be found here.  Though he apparently married the mother of their 9 children in 1979, the story of the double life did not come out officially until the early 1980s.

The story inspired the made for TV movie “Double Standard"

Judge Beer's character was played by Robert Foxworth, of, among other roles, Falconcrest fame.

I never saw the movie.  But I always liked Robert Foxworth as an actor.  Judge Beer should have been flattered--see picture above.  You'll agree.

So, that is my swearing in story.  Not quite LinkenIn worthy, but who cares.  My views on the platform are known:  A barrage of banal, bloviant bromides.

But, Judge Beer!  What a role model for a young attorney starting out.

Might explain a lot about my legal career.

 

Comments

[Debra Martinez]

Dont know how I ran across this after typing in'real name of Judge in Double Strndard'...but enjoyed reading as much as I did the show....Thank you ....