John E. Richards

John Evan Richards (July 7, 1856 – June 25, 1932) was an American attorney who served as an associate justice of the California Supreme Court from 1924 until 1932.

Biography Richards was born on July 7, 1856, to Richard Evan Richards and Mary Hamilton in San Jose, California, where he attended the public schools. He obtained his undergraduate degree from University of the Pacific in 1877 and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1879.

After graduation, Richards practiced law in San Francisco and San Jose with the firm of Moore, Lane & Leib, where future Justice William Langdon was later employed as a law clerk. In January 1904, Richards was elected a trustee of the newly formed Santa Clara Bar Association.

In September 1907, Governor James Gillett appointed Richards as judge of the Santa Clara Superior Court to fill the vacancy from the resignation due to age of Augustus Rhodes.

In October 1913, Governor Hiram Johnson elevated Richards to the First District Court of Appeal, replacing Samuel P. Hall who died in office. In October 1914, Richards won election to the remainder of Hall's unexpired term. From 1913 to 1916, he lectured at Santa Clara University School of Law.

On February 11, 1924, Governor Friend Richardson appointed Richards as an associate justice of the California Supreme Court to fill the vacant seat of Frank H. Kerrigan. His last opinion, Parra v. Traeger (1931) was filed on December 31, 1931. He died in office on June 25, 1932. Governor James Rolph appointed Ira F. Thompson to take the vacant seat.

Honors and activities Richards served as a trustee of the University of the Pacific, which in 1914 awarded him an honorary Master of Arts.

Personal life On November 3, 1881, Richards married Mary Westphal in San Jose, California. They had two sons: John P. Richards and Donald W. Richards.