In this Book
- Kentucky Lawyer
- Book
- 2010
- Published by: The University Press of Kentucky
Judge Mac Swinford was one of the longest-serving federal judges in United States history. During his lengthy tenure in the Kentucky courts, he came to know and appreciate the deep complexity of the law, understanding that it could be solid and fluid, broad and narrow, kind and harsh, changeless yet always evolving. In this service to the state and to the law, he felt that it was often his fellow lawyers who touched and educated him most.
Kentucky Lawyer presents the most humorous, enlightening, and poignant moments of a remarkable fifty-year career. Judge Swinford offers a unique Kentucky history, recounting instances of the drama and romance of the Kentucky bar. In "A Kentucky Ghost Story," he takes readers to the banks of Crooked Creek in Harrison County, where the spirit of a wrongfully accused man still affects judicial decisions. "Cost of Love" recalls a trial in Carlisle County in which a scorned lover files suit against her ex-fiancé for breach of promise, claiming ten thousand dollars for a broken heart.
Remembering some of Kentucky's most revered and respected jurists, Judge Swinford relates American culture in its most intimate and significant sense, through the acts and expressions of local leaders in the everyday affairs of life. His stories of humble commitment highlight the lives of men such as Henry Clay, Lieutenant Governor Rodes K. Myers, and Senator Joe C.S. Blackburn, who championed unpopular cases and stood on the forefront of government and community affairs. Kentucky Lawyer pays tribute to some of Kentucky's "truly great men," with the hope that legend will preserve them for us in memory. Now back in print, this classic book illuminates the varied work and world of the twentieth-century lawyer with elegance and humor.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- pp. 1-2
- No comment
- pp. 2-4
- Voices in the night
- pp. 4-8
- An “overspeaking” judge
- pp. 10-11
- According to law or instructions
- pp. 11-12
- Sturdy oak
- p. 13
- “Less sympathy—more consideration”
- pp. 19-21
- Helping the judge
- p. 21
- “Pass the sugar”
- pp. 22-26
- University of Camargo
- pp. 26-28
- Importance of the law
- pp. 28-30
- Dedication of the Kentucky lawyer
- pp. 30-31
- All the way
- p. 31
- Amicus curiae
- p. 32
- Wrong man on trial
- p. 41
- No kiss for Uncle Harry
- pp. 41-46
- The case of the diamond ring
- pp. 47-49
- Battle of San Juan Hill
- pp. 49-51
- The prohibition era
- pp. 87-55
- The Purchase
- pp. 55-56
- Cost of love
- pp. 57-60
- A plea for mercy
- pp. 60-62
- Trial of prohibition violators
- pp. 62-63
- Santa Claus
- pp. 63-66
- Some confusion
- pp. 66-68
- Lawyers and politics
- pp. 68-69
- “Yellow dog Democrat?”
- pp. 69-70
- Two of a kind
- pp. 70-72
- A Kentucky ghost story
- pp. 72-78
- Lawyers as jurors
- pp. 84-85
- Great teacher
- pp. 85-86
- Giant and dwarf
- pp. 86-88
- Naturalization hearings
- pp. 88-89
- Whose America is this?
- pp. 89-92
- No striped pants
- pp. 92-94
- Rules of court
- p. 94
- Obligations of the judiciary
- pp. 94-97
- Solid foundation
- pp. 99-103
- Old-fashioned orator
- pp. 103-105
- “Old Ring”
- pp. 105-109
- Sho’ ’nuf bad weather
- pp. 109-110
- Henry Clay
- pp. 110-111
- Look to the hills
- pp. 112-118
- The ever-growing law
- pp. 119-120
- Conclusion
- p. 121