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Portrait of Lewis F. Powell Jr.

Lewis F. Powell Jr.

Lewis Franklin Powell Jr.

Lewis F. Powell Jr., a centrist Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, was born in Suffolk, Virginia.

Profession
Supreme Court Justice, Attorney
Born
September 19, 1907
Years active
1931–1998

Early life

Born in Suffolk in 1907, Powell became a leading Richmond corporate lawyer and president of the American Bar Association.

Career

Appointed to the Supreme Court by President Nixon in 1972, he served until 1987 as a pivotal swing vote on issues from affirmative action to the death penalty.

Major achievements

His controlling opinion in Regents v. Bakke shaped affirmative-action law for decades.

Legacy

Powell is remembered as a pragmatic, influential moderate at the Court's ideological center.

References

Frequently asked questions about Lewis F. Powell Jr.

What is Lewis F. Powell Jr. known for?
Lewis F. Powell Jr., a centrist Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, was born in Suffolk, Virginia. Lewis F. Powell Jr. is recognized as a supreme court justice and attorney.
Where is Lewis F. Powell Jr. from?
Lewis F. Powell Jr. is from Suffolk, Virginia.
When was Lewis F. Powell Jr. born?
Lewis F. Powell Jr. was born on September 19, 1907, in Suffolk, Virginia.
Is Lewis F. Powell Jr. still active?
Lewis F. Powell Jr. was professionally active from 1931 to 1998.

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