Bernard S. Jefferson

Bernard S. Jefferson was born on June 29, 1910, in Coffeeville, Mississippi, and passed away on March 16, 2002.

In terms of his education, Jefferson completed his Bachelor of Arts at the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1931. He then went on to Harvard Law School, where he earned his Bachelor of Laws in 1934 and his Doctor of Juridical Science in 1943. He was admitted to the State Bar in December 1934.

Jefferson had a long and distinguished judicial career. He served as a Judge on the Los Angeles Municipal Court from January 13, 1959, to May 15, 1960, after being appointed by Edmund G. Brown, Sr. He then moved on to the Los Angeles Superior Court, where he served as a Judge from May 16, 1960, to October 7, 1975.

Jefferson was then appointed as an Associate Justice on the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division 1, where he served from October 8, 1975, to February 29, 1980. He was then promoted to Presiding Justice of the same court, a position he held from February 29, 1980, to June 27, 1980.

In addition to his judicial experience, Jefferson also had a rich professional background. He served as the President of the University of West Los Angeles Schools of Law and Paralegal Studies starting in 1982. He also had a private practice in Los Angeles, California, and worked as an Assistant General Counsel in the Office of Price Administration in Washington, D.C. He also served as a Professor at Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C.

It's worth noting that Jefferson's older brother, Edwin L. Jefferson, was the first African-American Justice appointed to the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District in Division Four.