Clifford Sweet

Clifford Sweet
Born	Clifford Charles Sweet August 3, 1936(1936-08-03) Jupiter, Florida, U.S.
Died	October 3, 2010(2010-10-03) (aged 74) Berkley, California, U.S.
Alma mater	San Jose State University, Lincoln Law School
Occupation	Lawyer

Clifford Charles Sweet of Berkeley, California Aug. 3rd 1936 to Oct. 3rd 2010, Clifford was born the youngest of nine children to George and Ruth Sweet in Jupiter, FL. Clifford moved to San Jose, California from his native Florida to live with his older brothers: Wester, Roscoe and James. Upon moving to California, Clifford enrolled in San Jose City College in 1957. He went on to graduate from San Jose State with a degree in political science. At the time, the civil rights movement and civic responsibility inspired him to pursue a career in law. He then earned his JD in 1963 from Lincoln Law School. Clifford is most known by family, friends and members of the community for his work through Legal Aid Society of Alameda County (LASAC).^[1] In 1971, four years after accepting a job with the organization, Clifford was appointed Executive Attorney and remained so until his retirement in 1998. At LASAC,^[2] he guided significant litigation against unfair bank lending practices (Redlining), bolstered minority hiring among Oakland police officers and fire fighters, and defended low income tenants throughout Alameda County, among other meaningful rulings. Twice, Clifford argued cases, and had judgments affirmed, in front of the California Supreme Court.^[3] Clifford is survived by his brother Jim, sister Dorothy, sons Julian and Bret and numerous nieces and nephews.

Early life

Clifford Sweet was born in Jupiter, FL in 1936, where he was also raised; he worked and learned self-sufficiency from a young age; he graduated from Roosevelt High School in West Palm Beach in 1954, attended Lincoln Law School where he earned his J.D. Degree cum laude, and was admitted to the practice of law in California in June 1966.

Early career

Clifford was an active community organizer during his undergraduate career, being the architect behind several student led protests. At the time, his brother Wester was in a leadership position in the Congress of Racial Equality which inspired the two brothers to organize sympathy pickets of Woolworth's and S.H. Kress stores in downtown San Jose for their open stance against the lunch counter protests happening in the South. During his time in law school, he worked at the post office delivering mail while assisting his brother with legal case. Finally upon receiving his law degree and passing the bar, Clifford opened a private practice with his brother Wester focusing civil rights for all.

Private Practice

Clifford opened a private practice with his brother Wester Sweet.

Career

He was recognized by the California State Bar for truly served his country and the people of the state of California through his tireless championing of the legal rights of ethnic minorities, women and the economically disadvantaged. Executive Attorney of the Legal Aid Society of Alameda County (LASAC) from 1968 to 1998, Clifford Sweet trained and mentored an entire generation of public interest attorneys; early in his tenure he recognized the transformative potential of the Legal Services Act of 1966 and, for over three decades, maintained the LASAC in the forefront of civil rights, employment discrimination, housing law, mortgage discrimination, welfare rights, family law, landlord tenant and healthcare litigation.^[4] Under Clifford Sweet’s leadership, the LASAC quickly established an excellent reputation statewide and nationwide as an efficient, experienced, and creative practice, whose attorneys expended their all to their clients in numerous and diverse areas of the law. During his outstanding legal career, he still found time to give to his profession and his community; he was quick to recognize, and then encourage, the best talents in loved ones, friends, and employees. Clifford was a true humanitarian. Throughout Clifford’s 30-plus year legal career, he stood for the very best of his profession, working for the protection of the public, excellence in the profession, preservation and improvement of our justice system, was a highly regarded member of the Bar, and was renowned for his wit, good humor, passion for life and his profession, with an abiding love of his family and friends. ^[5]

Personal life

Prior to beginning his practice in California, Clifford married Roxanna Beryl Thayer on September 18th, 1963. During their marriage they had two children, Julian Sweet and Bret Alexander Sweet.

Death

Clifford Charles Sweet died in a hospice located in Hayward, California on Sunday, October 3rd, 2010 with his family. The memorial service was held October 24th 10am-2pm, at the Claremont Hotel, Sonoma Room, 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley CA 94705.

References

1. ^ Legal Aid Information - Legal Aid Society of Alameda County [1] Officer of the Legal Aid Society of Alameda County, Retrieved March 24, 2011.
2. ^ Divorce Source - Legal Aid Society of Alameda County [2] Executive Director of the Legal Aid Society of Alameda County, divorcesource.com, Retrieved March 24, 2011.
3. ^ Justia.com US Law - Conover v. Hall [11 Cal. 3d 842] [3] Sac. No. 7972. Supreme Court of California. July 2, 1974., Conover v. Hall [11 Cal. 3d 842], Retrieved March 24, 2011.
4. ^ FindACase.com - Supreme Court Of California, Blanc v. Swoap, [4] Supreme Court of California, April 26, 1976. Retrieved March 24, 2011
5. ^ Leatherneck.com Marine Corps Community for USMC Marine Veterans Forum [5] San Jose Mercury News. January 16, 2006., In A Leader's Steps, Retrieved March 29, 2011.

Persondata
Name	Clifford, Sweet
Alternative names	Clifford Charles Sweet
Short description
Date of birth	August 3, 1936
Place of birth	Jupiter, Florida, U.S.
Date of death	October 3, 2010
Place of death	Berkeley, California, U.S.