Leftist Lawyer Victor Rabinowitz Passes Away at 96

November 21, 2007 by Michael Law
Filed under: Lawyers

Victor Rabinowitz, who was an attorney that supported and represented clients for leftist causes has passed away at 96 years of age in his Manhattan home. His client list included Fidel Castro, the Black Panthers, Alger Hiss, and Weather Underground member Kathy Boudin.

His 1996 book, “Unrepentant Leftist: A Lawyer’s Memoir,” describes Rabinowitz as a member of the American Communist Party from 1942 to the 1960s. In his memoir he writes that he joined their cause because he felt it was the best way for him to stand up for social justice.

The start of his law career

His lawyer career had its start at the law firm of Louis Boudin - a labor lawyer. Boudin had a focus in his firm in radical politics, which was attractive to a young Rabinowitz. After some time gaining valuable experience, Rabinowitz opened his own law practice in 1944. Interestingly enough, Boudin’s nephew then joined his practice in 1947. Both worked together in the legal practice until the death of Leonard Boudin in 1989.

High-profile law cases

One of the biggest cases Rabinowitz fought in court was one in which his law firm was hired by Cuban dictator Fidel Castro in 1960. Castro wished to defend the Cuban government’s nationalization of property owned by the United States. Rabinowitz won the case using the argument that the United States courts should not be questioning the internal affairs of other nations.

Alger Hiss hired Rabinowitz - and was ultimately his last attorney. Hiss was an American diplomat that was accused of being a Soviet Union spy. Hiss was convicted of perjury in 1950 in this, one of the most famous postwar espionage legal cases. “My father always felt that he was very ably represented by Victor Rabinowitz,” said son Tony Hiss.

Another high-profile legal case by Rabinowitz was his representation of Leonard Boudin’s daughter Kathy. She was a member of the radical student group Weather Underground. She pleaded guilty to involvement in an armored truck heist in 1981, serving in prison more than 20 years for her conviction.

He had a case that went to the United States Supreme Court. Rabinowitz challenged a provision that would force labor union leaders to affirm that they were not Communists. He argued on the basis of constitutionality, but was ultimately not successful.

Some of the other high-profile and celebrity cases his law firm took on included Dr. Benjamin Spock, singer Paul Robeson, Pentagon Papers figure Daniel Ellsberg, Reverend Philip Berrigan, and civil rights leader Julian Bond.

The Rabinowitz legacy

“He was in the forefront of the defense of civil liberties during the McCarthy period, civil rights movement and the antiwar movement,” said longtime law partner Michael Krinsky.

Krinsky feels one of the lasting legacies that Rabinowitz has left us with and should be remembered for is his efforts in helping found the National Lawyers Guild, which was created as an alternative to the American Bar Association.

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