Avern Cohn
Interviewed by Charlotte Dubin
August 4, 2004
Max M. Fisher Federation Building, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Avern Cohn
Video 01:05:29
Avern Cohn
Audio 01:05:29
Abstract
In this interview, Judge Avern Cohn discusses both his parents and his grandparents. He recalls childhood memories about his neighborhood, Russell Woods, the schools he attended, and his Jewish Education. He mentions some of the camps he attended as a child, including Camp Tamakwa.
The judge remembers friends from high school, as well as the impact his grandparents, parents, and a high school chemistry teacher had on him. After high school, Judge Cohn goes on to talk about college and leading up to his entrance into the United States Army during World War II.
After discussing his brief medical school involvement, the Judge explains his “path to the bench” and other appointments he has held, such as the Michigan Social Welfare Commission, President of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, and Detroit Board of Police commissioners. Leading off of that, Judge Cohn discusses the changes he was responsible for in the Detroit Police Department.
Cohn relates few interesting cases from his days as Federal Judge: the Detroit Schools desegregation case, the first case of Hate Speech on University of Michigan campus, and patent litigation for an intermittent windshield wiper. From here, the judge mentions what he thinks are good qualities for a judge to have.
Cohn discusses how he became involved with the Jewish Federation, and his challenges that were faced while he was the President, as well as the current challenges he thinks the Federation is facing.
Finally, Cohn talks about his involvement with the Millennium Campaign, and how he came to found the Jewish Community Archives, and the Irwin I. Cohn Cemetery Index. The Judge briefly mentions his trips to Israel over the years, and how he views law in Israel. The interview ends with the Judge speaking about his family.
History of Narrator
Judge Avern Cohn was born July 23, 1924 to Irwin I. and Sadie Levin Cohn. He attended the University of Michigan, John Tarleton Agricultural College, Stanford University, and Loyola School of Medicine. He served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School in 1949 and was admitted to the Michigan State Bar in December of 1949.
He engaged in private practice in the Law Office of Irwin I. Cohn from 1949-1961 and at Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn from 1961 to 1979. Cohn held the following public positions: Michigan Social Welfare Commission, 1963; Michigan Civil Rights Commission, 1972-1975 and served as Chair 1974-1975; Detroit Board of Police Commissioners, 1975-1979 and served as Chair 1979.
Cohn is a member of several bar associations including: Detroit Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan; Federal Circuit Bar Association; Federal Bar Association; American Bar Association; Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States; Chairperson, Special Assembly, State Bar of Michigan, 1973-1979; Past Trustee, Detroit Bar Association Foundation; Past Director, Detroit Bar Association; member, American Law Institute; Director, and American Judicature Society.
He has been active in numerous organizations in political, secular and Jewish life, including Jewish Community Center, Jewish Community Relations Council, and American Jewish Committee. He is a Past President of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and a recipient of their prestigious Butzel Award.
On October 9, 1979, he was appointed Judge, United State District Court, Eastern District of Michigan by President Jimmy Carter.
Transcript
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Important Names
Credit as: Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives. Avern Cohn Oral History Interview, August 4, 2004.