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John Lanham

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John C. Lanham (December 6, 1924 – August 14, 2007) was an American state legislator in Hawaii and Circuit Court judge. He also served as the Chief Justice of the High Court of the Marshall Islands.[1]

Early life

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John Lanham was raised in an orphanage in South Carolina.[1] In an interview later in life, Lanham explained how the experience had affected his view of the law, "The first thing I think of when I study a law is: What will be its effect on (poor) people."[1]

He served on a B-25 bomber during World War II and in the American infantry during the Korean War.[1] He arrived in Hawaii after the wars.

Career

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Lanham was first elected to the last Hawaii Territorial Legislature before it became a state in 1959.[1] He next served in the Hawaii House of Representatives and then as a Hawaiian state senator.[1] During his time in office, Lanham focused on the creation of an office to assist the poor in paying for legal advice.[1] He also helped to create Hawaii's Family Court system, reformed the bail system and modernized the state's criminal code.[1]

Hawaiian Governor John A. Burns appointed Lanham to the Hawaiian Circuit Court in Honolulu in 1970.[1]

Lanham was named the Chief Justice of the High Court of the Marshall Islands in 1982.[1] The Marshall Islands were a trust territory of United States at the time. He was replaced as Chief Justice by Nelson Doi in 1985.[2]

Death

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John C. Lanham died in California on August 14, 2007.[1] He was survived by his wife, Annie, daughters Patrice and Catherine, son Robert, and grandchildren Tatum and Kyle.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "John C. Lanham, 82, Circuit Court judge dies". The Honolulu Advertiser. August 18, 2007. Retrieved August 20, 2007.
  2. ^ "A look back at the 1950s". The Marshall Islands Journal. 11 February 2022.
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