The Hon. Mr. Justice L. Greenberg

The Hon. Mr. Justice L. Greenberg

(We are indebted to the "South African Law Journal" for the greater part of the appended biography).

LEOPOLD GREENBERG was born at Calvinia on the 21st March, 1885. He received his early education at Grey College, Bloemfontein, from where, in 1900, he went to the South African College School, Cape Town. He had a brilliant scholastic career, gaining a number of special prizes. During his four years at S.A.C.S. he was placed first both in the Matriculation and Intermediate examinations, and also obtained an Honours Degree of Bachelor of Arts. He took a prominent part in the Debating Society, and as a debater was clear and convincing. His exceptional ability in English resulted in his professor recommending him to take up a literary career. But Mr. Greenberg decided upon the law as a profession, and on his leaving college in 1904 proceeded to Johannesburg, where he entered the office of Mr. Attorney Lindsay. There he studied for and obtained, in 1907, his final LL.B. Degree. Two years later he was enrolled as an attorney, in which capacity he practised until 1911, when he was admitted as an advocate of the Supreme Court. His practical experience at the side-bar proved of great value to him. He rapidly rose to the fore at the Johannesburg Bar, and was seen in many of the big cases on the Rand. In addition to possessing those invaluable attributes of voice and presence, he was soon recognised as a lawyer of great ability. His brief was always the subject of the most careful preparation, and a keen intellect and clear conception of the finer points enabled him to present his client's cause in the most convincing manner.

In July, 1924, he took silk, but had only a brief period as a K.C., for in November of the same year Mr. Advocate Greenberg became the Honourable Mr. Justice Greenberg, an appointment which met with universal favour. It is perhaps sufficient indication of his ability and personality that he was elevated to the Bench at an age younger than any Judge since the Anglo-Boer War. His tenure of office has shown that he is as successful in the administration of justice on the Bench as he was in its exposition from the Bar. It is no limited opinion which considers that he will emerge as one of South Africa's greatest judges.

In 1913 Mr. Justice Greenberg married Miss Braun, of Cape Town, and has two sons. While at school and college he played both codes of football. Nowadays he is a golfer, immensely keen, and no mean exponent of the royal and ancient game, as is shown by his deservedly low handicap of 8.

Although Mr. Justice Greenberg's busy professional career has allowed him very little leisure time, he has never forgotten his obligations to the Jewish community. In 1913 he was President of the Johannesburg Jewish Guild and for the past few years he has been Honorary President of the Palestine Foundation Fund (Keren Hayesod) of South Africa. In this latter capacity he is achieving much useful and unobtrusive work in the cause of Zionism. South African Jewry has thus much reason for satisfaction with one of the most brilliant sons it has ever produced.