1997 Oral History Interview

Mr. Benjamin Levinter

Interview Details

Year: 1997

Pages: 115

Status: Open

Benjamin Levinter provides insights into his legal heritage through his father Isadore Levinter’s law practice at Levinter, Luxenburg, Grossberg, which specialized in insurance work. The interview covers his educational journey from Hillcrest Progressive School through the Ontario Agricultural College (1943-47) and Osgoode Hall (1947-1952), where he articled at his family’s firm and participated in a notable Windsor murder trial.

Levinter’s most significant contribution to Canadian legal history was his founding role in The Advocates’ Society, which he discusses extensively. He details the society’s origins in August 1963, serving as its Director from 1964-1970, and its early focus on representing the negligence bar and lobbying the Legislature. The interview also touches on anti-Semitism in the legal profession, the impact of the Great Depression on legal practice, and his assessment of The Advocates’ Society’s evolution to the present day.

This description was written by AI and may contain some inaccuracies.

References

The following are a selection of topics discussed in this oral history.

Educational Institutions

Osgoode Hall

Government Bodies

Legislature

Historical Events

Great Depression

Jurisdictions

Ontario
Toronto
Windsor

Law Firms

Levinter, Luxenburg, Grossberg

People Mentioned

Bob Reid
Edson Haines
Isadore Levinter

Professional Organizations

The Advocates' Society

Time Periods

1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s

Topics

Cross-Examination
Insurance Law
Legal Advocacy
Negligence Law

Some of these references were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.

Archive Details

Archive Link: https://aims.archives.gov.on.ca/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/DESCRIPTION_WEB/WEB_DESC_DET?SESSIONSEARCH&exp=sisn%2065288

Archive Code: C 81-4-0-11

Title: Interview with Benjamin Levinter

Date: Aug. 1997 - Sept. 1997

Description: Textual records, Sound recordings

Physical Description: 1 file of textual records (includes 4 audio cassettes (ca. 180 minutes))

Restrictions: None

Container Info: (Textual records are located in container B436898; sound recordings are located in container B436745)

Location: Interview conducted as part of the Advocates' Society Project.

Scope: File consists of oral history records documenting the life and career of Benjamin Levinter (b. 1925), a Toronto- area lawyer who served as Director of the Advocates' Society (1964-1970). Interview topics include: family background; Ontario Agricultural College; Osgoode Hall; articling; origins of the Advocates' Society; Direcot of Advocates Society; presidents of society; evaluation of Advocates' Society. Interview conducted by Christine J.N. Kates. File includes 4 audio cassette recordings from a series of two interviews and a transcript with index (115 p.).

File consists of oral history records documenting the life and career of Benjamin Levinter (b. 1925), a Toronto- area lawyer who served as Director of the Advocates' Society (1964-1970). Interview topics include: family background; Ontario Agricultural College; Osgoode Hall; articling; origins of the Advocates' Society; Direcot of Advocates Society; presidents of society; evaluation of Advocates' Society. Interview conducted by Christine J.N. Kates. File includes 4 audio cassette recordings from a series of two interviews and a transcript with index (115 p.).

Mr. Benjamin Levinter

References

Archive Details

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