At 98, criminal defense attorney still practices with integrity

From the volcanic ashes of Iwo Jima during World War II to the contested courtrooms of Los Angeles County Superior Court, criminal defense attorney Arthur Lewis has led a life woven with bravery, resilience, and legal acumen.

At 98, Lewis remains one of the oldest active members of the California State Bar. And he is still the fighter he has always been.

“When I take a client in court and I plead, ‘Not guilty,’ I’m not saying he didn’t do it,” he explained. “I just make sure that the government plays by the rules and that they got the evidence legally and lawfully. Bottom line: I protect their constitutional rights.”

Lewis began practicing criminal law during a surge in gambling and bookmaking cases in Los Angeles and Las Vegas during the 1960s. He became an expert in search and seizure laws, spending hours studying Section 844 of the Penal Code. He believed that lengthy affidavits for search warrants indicated uncertainty about legal requirements.

A notable case involved a bookmaker whose trash was searched by the police. Lewis initially won the case, but it was reversed on appeal. California v. Rooney, 483 U.S. 307 (1987). Lewis recalled an appellate justice questioning the legality of trash searches. Lewis was asked if he could have the justice arrested for searching another person’s trash, to which he replied he would attempt to obtain civil injunctive relief instead. “’I wasn’t sure I could.’ But he didn’t know either,” Lewis recalled.

Despite representing clients involved in organized crime, Lewis said he was respected by police officers, whom he also represented in personal matters. “Your goal is to get your client off, not to burn a cop,” he said.

Born in 1925 in Brighton Beach, New York, Lewis faced a challenging childhood during the Great Depression. Both his parents, immigrants from Austria and Lithuania, died during his youth, leading to his adoption by relatives. Despite these hardships, Lewis excelled academically, developing an interest in engineering and aircraft before WWII intervened.

As a radio technician in the Fourth Marine Division Regiment Combat Team, Lewis witnessed the historic raising of the American flag on Mount Suribachi. He recalled the strategic importance of Iwo Jima and the intense atmosphere during the battle, surviving with only a shrapnel injury.

After his discharge in 1946, Lewis returned to San Francisco, then settled in Los Angeles. He enrolled in Southwestern Law School, obtaining his juris doctorate in 1955. He transitioned to private practice after working for Hughes Aircraft, where he contributed to radar systems for F86 jets during the Korean War.

Lewis converted a barber shop on Sepulveda Boulevard into an office and started his own law firm. “Whatever your legal problems were when you came in was my specialty,” he said. His three sons, Kenneth, Stuart, and Ronald, followed in his footsteps, becoming attorneys. Ronald is married to Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Maureen Duffy-Lewis.

Lewis said crucial to a successful criminal defense practice is to maintain integrity, despite some people perceiving him as crooked due to his clientele. He always insisted on legitimate payments, avoiding any actions that could jeopardize his bar card.

Known for his elegant suits, Lewis interacted with legendary LA legal figures like Gladys Towles Root and worked with Joan Dempsey Klein before she became a Court of Appeal justice.

Ronald J. Lewis of Agoura Hills said his father taught him valuable lessons that he continues to use: “Never lie. Always be honest. And don’t be a thief.”

“Your reputation is your stock and trade,” Lewis’ son emphasized.