Kenneth Culp Davis, 94; pioneer in administrative law
|
|
More than 50 years ago, Kenneth Culp Davis brought together various legal disciplines under one unifying title: administrative law. Beginning with a 1951 text, which he supplemented with a multivolume treatise in 1958, Mr. Davis explained the central role of administrative law in modern government. His body of work earned him the moniker “the father of administrative law.” It also served as a guideline for lawyers who practice before administrative agencies and judges who review agency decisions. Mr. Davis, who taught at the University of San Diego from 1976 until his 1994 retirement, died of natural causes Aug. 30 in San Diego. He was 94. “Davis’ shadow falls over virtually all that administrative lawyers do,” said Bill Funk, chairman of the administrative law section of the American Bar Association. “To say he was a giant in his field is like saying Mount Everest is a big mountain.” Carl Auerbach, a law professor recruited by Mr. Davis to USD, said, “Some lawyers practicing before government agencies doubted that there was a unified body of law that could be described as administrative law. Ken’s treatise created the field.” Such disciplines as evidence law, procedural law and constitutional law fell under Mr. Davis’ administrative law umbrella. More : signonsandiego.com |