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Gordon D. Schaber (GDS) Competition

Gordon D. Schaber
(1927 – 1997)
Judge, Dean, Teacher, Leader

Born in 1927 in Ashley, North Dakota, Gordon Schaber overcame childhood polio and was valedictorian of his high school. He graduated with distinction from Sacramento State College and with honors from the University of California, Hastings College of Law, where he was Order of the Coif.

He began his career in the law in 1953, at Schaber & Cecchettini during the day and as a law professor at McGeorge School of Law during the evening. At age 29, he became the youngest law school dean in America when he was appointed Dean at McGeorge. He held that position for the next 33 years, and became the nation’s then longest tenured law school dean.

In 1965 Governor Edmund G. “Pat” Brown appointed Dean Schaber to the Sacramento Superior Court. His colleagues elected him Presiding Judge. He retired from the bench in 1970 to dedicate himself to building McGeorge School of Law.

Dean Schaber was provocative, innovative, and creative. He was a distinguished and respected leader in the American Bar Association, Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, and the American Association of Law Schools. He provided inspiration for positive change at law schools throughout the nation, while simultaneously transforming McGeorge from a small night law school into a fully accredited day and evening program. Under his leadership, McGeorge became an internationally renowned citadel of legal scholarship.

“Dean Schaber was always ahead of his time. As an advisor to several chief justices and the Judicial Council of California, he brought countless innovations to the courts and to the law for almost four decades.”
Ronald M. George, Chief Justice of California

Active on numerous boards and commissions, he was the consummate community leader and advisor to mayors, governors, and presidents. While astute and active politically, he was a family man, civic leader, and informed citizen who was trusted and respected across all political persuasions. His intellect, fairness, good cheer, energy, and compassion attracted people from all walks of life to his counsel. He always found time to help others, whatever their situation in life.

For almost half of the 20th Century, Gordon D. Schaber was Sacramento’s chief architect for simply getting good deeds done.

“Gordon Schaber was one of the best and warmest of friends. He opened horizons, even saved careers, sometimes by heroic measures, often by gentle, quiet counsel. The simple humanity of the man counts the most.”
Anthony M. Kennedy, Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the United States

This biography was taken from the program of the Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Courthouse dedication, reprinted here with permission.

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