11 Facts About Emory Buckner

Emory Roy Buckner was a prominent American lawyer who served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, where he gained a reputation as one of the greatest prosecutors in American history.

Emory Buckner was raised in Nebraska, and at age 15 completed a shorthand course, after which he spent three years in Oklahoma as a traveling court reporter.

Emory Buckner graduated near the top of his class in 1907, and established a close friendship with Felix Frankfurter which would prove to be lifelong.

Emory Buckner first gained prominence in the district attorney's office when he was chosen to conduct a highly publicized investigation into corruption allegations at the New York Police Department.

Emory Buckner failed to obtain a conviction against Daugherty in two trials held in 1926 and 1927.

Emory Buckner is credited with coining the term "associate" for junior members of a law firm, which replaced the older term, "law clerk".

Emory Buckner initiated the practice of having an annual luncheon with hiring partners at the other Wall Street firms, at which they set the "going rate" for associate salaries.

Emory Buckner encouraged Friendly to clerk immediately, and then come to Root, Clark.

Emory Buckner won out, and Friendly joined Root, Clark in 1928, where he became a partner.

Emory Buckner explored the possibility of leveraging the notoriety he gained as US Attorney into a run for governor of New York, but reconsidered after he suffered a stroke in 1934.

Emory Buckner realized that he who wields the instruments of justice wields the most powerful instruments of government.