CBA Record July-August 2018

In Memoriam

A Never Ending Belief in the Law H earing of Judge George Leighton’s passing, I remember a lunch I had with him, years ago, at the Union League Club. He told me he was building a house in Plymouth, MA, near the town in which he grew up, New Bedford. He was then around 80 years old, and I thought, ste- reotypically, that it seemed kind of late in life to be building a house. He did, and years later retired, and lived in that house until a few years ago when he moved to a nearby community living center. I have remembered this conversation often over these years, as I look back and forward. It has taught me that there is no time limit on living. His wife, Virginia, was my Kindergarten teacher at St. Edmund’s Parochial School. I joined his law firm, then McCoy, Ming and Black shortly after he became a Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. In 1980, he presided over my personal swearing in as a Judge of the Circuit Court. His amazing life and legal career has been a model and tutorial for us all on how to live and how to be a lawyer and judge of the highest intelligence and principle. I think of his kindness and dedication and never ending belief that the law can serve our society’s path toward social justice because being heard is our only way forward. –By Judge Sophia Hall, Chancery Division, Ciecuit Court of Cook County

Leighton addressing CBA members around the time of his 100th birthday in 2012. The Law of Truth was in His Mouth N o novelist could have imagined a more compelling story than the epic journey though life of George Neves Leitao, our beloved Judge George N. Leighton. He surmounted obstacles, thwarted barriers, challenged conventions, pushed boundar- ies. He refused to accept the status quo, or yield to institutional hypocrisy. He sought to redress injustices though fidelity to the law. And, throughout his long life, he conducted himself with the utmost humility, grace, dignity, and gentleness. In the words of the Prophet Malachi, “The law of truth was in his mouth, and not a word of unkindness, of unworthiness, of unfriendliness, ever crossed his lips.” To all who knew him, he embodied the strength of the human spirit. Judge Leighton’s name became synonymous with integrity and honesty, with justice and fair treatment, with courtesy and sincerity, and with hope for unity and understand- ing long before it was attached to the Criminal Court Building on 26th Street. In this way he built for himself a monument more lasting than the Courthouse itself. When I was 13 years old I had the privilege of playing chess with Judge Leighton. He, a master player. Me, a novice. The first match ended when, after my second move, the Judge proclaimed checkmate. (I still recall my shock.) I did better in the next match; I got as far as three moves before the game abruptly ended. After each game, he patiently explained my errors. I asked him for a third try. He politely declined. He did, however, say “Young man, I was about your age when I began playing chess. It is a subtle game and requires years of practice and experience and observation. If you work at it, I believe you will one day be a fine player. I’ve learned that if you are willing to work for something, work hard and not take shortcuts, you can do just about anything.” Judge Leighton achieved whatever he set his mind to, and, fortunately for all of us, he set his mind on delivering justice to a broken world. –By Justice Michael B. Hyman, Justice, Illinois Appellate Court, former CBA President, and Editor-In-Chief of the CBA Record

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