Julian Beck

Julian Beck (May 13, 1905 – August 18, 1992) was an American educator, legislator, and jurist. He served for many years in the California legislature and on the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Early life and education Julian Beck was born in Philadelphia on May 13, 1905. and earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1929. He later obtained a master's degree in history from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1935. In the same year, he completed his legal education, receiving a law degree from Loyola University.

Career Beck began his career in public service as a business and social studies teacher in the Los Angeles City High School District during the 1930s and early 1940s. He was also an instructor for the American Institute of Banking. He later entered politics and was elected to the California Assembly. He represented the 41st District, which at that time covered parts of the San Fernando Valley, from 1943 to 1953. While serving in the Assembly, Beck participated in selecting the site and securing land for San Fernando Valley State College, which later became California State University, Northridge (CSUN). He subsequently served as chairman of the college's advisory board for 16 years.

In the California State Assembly, Beck was minority leader from 1948 to 1952 and was a member of the Assembly Education Committee throughout his five terms.

As a Superior Court judge in Los Angeles County, Beck oversaw a wide variety of criminal and civil court cases involving both celebrities and ordinary citizens, including murder trials, public intoxication (Merle Travis), jaywalking (Liberace), divorce proceedings (Jerry Lambert), leash law violations (Lou Costello), speeding (Ina Ray Hutton and Troy Donahue), personal injury lawsuits (Bobby Van and Judy Garland), assault and battery (Horace Heidt), drunk driving (Gordon MacRae), contested wills, sexual harassment, medical malpractice, unemployment fraud, filicide, and Thalidomide-related birth defect lawsuits.

Beck retired on April 30, 1975, just two weeks before his 70th birthday, after 32 years of public service on the bench and in the legislature.