Video Interview: Jack Lessenberry on New Book About Judge Avern Cohn
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 20, 2022)
Detroit, MI -Cases about free speech, patent law, and birth control safety were among those that US District Court Judge Avern Cohn is remembered for in the recently published book “Thinking About The Other Fella: Avern Cohn’s Life and the Law.”
Emmy-award winning journalist and author Jack Lessenberry co-wrote the book with significant other Elizabeth Zerwekh who is a professional librarian and archivist. Both had been friends with Judge Cohn for years before the idea of a book was raised. The pair was able to finish, and publish, the book before Cohn’s passing on Feb. 4 at the age of 97.
The Judge was on the bench for over 40 years, retiring at the age of 95. Lessenberry and Zerwekh’s book shares info about key cases, a biographical look at the Judge, and previously published articles that reflect the range of Cohn’s skills and interests.
The inside cover is lined with a collage of little notes the judge would leave for himself. “Always remember the lawyers have as much right to be in the courtroom as the judge,” and the “Ten Commandments of Human Relations” are among them.
Here is about 17 minutes of discussion with Lessenberry about Judge Cohn and the “Thinking About The Other Fella,” which can be ordered through https://www.auldclassicbooks.com/.