Hon. Simon L. Adler
Born August 30, 1867, in Seneca Falls, NY
Died May 23, 1934
Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York
Received a recess appointment from Calvin Coolidge on May 19, 1927, to a new seat authorized by 44 Stat. 1370; nominated to the same position by Calvin Coolidge on December 6, 1927. Confirmed by the Senate on January 16, 1928, and received commission on January 16, 1928. Service terminated on May 23, 1934, due to death.
Education:
Cornell University, B.L., 1889
Harvard Law School, 1892
Professional Career:
Private practice, Rochester, New York, 1892-
State assemblyman, New York, 1911-1926; majority leader, 1916-1926
Noteworthy Cases and Other Information
(written by Hon. John T. Curtin)¹
To dispose of the burgeoning prohibition calendar, Judge[s] Hazel [and Adler] resorted to “Bargain Days.” At the beginning of the session, he would announce that all who pled guilty on that day would be fined a certain amount. Critics of plea bargaining may deplore this arrangement, but court management proponents should note, however, that through this device [they] established a national record for dispositions by 1931…
Judge Adler’s time on the bench was relatively short. He died on May 23,1934. His judicial career was noted for hard work and tenacity, particularly in dealing with the enormous number of prohibition cases. He was also noted for establishing the first federal Probation and Parole Office in the Western New York District.
