Lemuel shaw biography of nancy

Lemuel Shaw was chief justice of Massachusetts from 1830 to 1860, during which time he wrote a record number of opinions, over 2,200, only one in dissent.

He dominated his court as no other judge has. His opinions were often comprehensive, ponderous, analytical treatises.

Lemuel shaw biography of nancy pelosi

He often explained guiding principles in terms of policy or social advantage, placing his decisions on the broadest grounds. Justice oliver wendell holmes, attributing Shaw's influence to his "accurate appreciation of the requirements of the community," declared that "few have lived who were his equals in their understanding of the grounds of public policy to which all laws must be ultimately referred.

It was this which made him … the greatest magistrate which this country has produced."

Before his appointment to the Supreme Judicial Court, Shaw had been a Federalist lawyer, a member of both branches of the state legislature, and a bank director.

Shaw did not, however, fit the stereotype