John T. Noonan Jr.

John T. Noonan Jr. (1926-2017) was a prominent legal scholar, author, and federal judge who served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 1985 until his death, having been appointed by President Ronald Reagan. A Harvard graduate and longtime professor at UC Berkeley Law School, he authored influential books on canon law, Catholic theology, and legal ethics, including the acclaimed 'Persons and Masks of the Law' (1975), which advocated a humane, people-centered approach to jurisprudence. Known for his independent streak, Noonan wrote extensively on topics like abortion, contraception, slavery, and religious freedom, blending history, morality, and law.