AsNERJ, MIKVA
Vlsillng Professor of Law
•
T HE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
THE LAW SCHOOL
1111 EAST 60T11 STREET
CHICAOO. ILLINOIS 60637-2786
ABNER 1. MIKVA
TELEPHONE: 773634-5852
FAX: 773-702-0730
omlkvcOtaw.uchlcogo.edu
Abner J. Mikva served u White House Counsel from October 1, 1994 until November 1,
1995. Prior to his appointment, he served as Chief Judge on the United States Court of Appeals
fur the District of Columbia Circuit. He wu appointed to the bench on September 27. 1979, and
became Chief Judge on Jamwy 21, 1991. Before coming to the beflcb. be was eJected to
consress for five terms, represent.q portions of Chicago and its subums. Judge Mikva served
on both the Ways and Means Committee and the 1udicwy Committee while in Congress. He
started his political career in 19S6 in the Illinois House of Representatives, where be served five
consecutive terms. While in the legiila1ure, he WIS Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee
and helped enact a new criminal code for Illinois, as weD as a new mental health code.
Judge Milcva received bis law degree fi’om the University of Chicago in 1951, sracfuating
PlDI Jat+ He was editor-in-chief of the Law Review and a member of the Order of the COO: the
national fesaJ honor society. He is s member of Phi Beta Kappa and was a law clerk to United
States Supreme Court Justice Sherman Minton. After bis clerkship, be mumed to Illinois, where
he entered the practice oflaw, becoming a partner of the late Justice Arthur Goldberg. His
practice included extensive litigation and appellate work. He presented several constitutional
cues to the U.S. Supreme Court,
He has tsught courses in “The Lqislam,e Process” at Northwestern University,
GeorJetown Uniwrsay, the Univcnity of Pamsyfvanja, American Uniwrsity, the University of
Chicago, the University of Illinois. and a course in “Legal Ethics” at Duke Univcnity. Judse
Mikva is the co-author of a political scieme textbook on the Congress entitled “The American
Congress: The F’arat Branch” sad bas co-authored law school textboou on the legislative process.
He is the recipient of numerous honorary degrees. He was given the Paul H. Douglas Ethics in
0ovemment Award tbroup the University of Illinois and the Alumni Medal of the University of
Chicago. He was recentlJ, elected to the American Academy of AIU and Sciences.
Judge Mikva c:wremly is a Visiting Professor at the University of Chicago. He co-chairs a
task ftne on Political Repμ es,; nthn in Illinois with Conner Governor Jame1 Edpr, and serves
on the Eneutive Board of the Centn1 and Eastern European Law Initiatives. an affiliate of the
American Bar Aaocia1ion. Judge Mikva also enpses in arbitration and mediation work with
JAMS, a national dispute resolution firm. Judge Mikva’s wife, Zoe. recently retired as Director
ofDevelopmem for a Wuhmgtot\ think-tank and does extensive volunteer wort for the Chicago
public schools. They have three daugbter.-two lawyers and a rabbi-and seven grandchildren.
JuJy,2000.
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