Overview

Manuel Lawrence Real (January 27, 1924 – June 26, 2019) was a Senior United States District Judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of California. He received a federal appointment from President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966 and served on the bench for more than five decades. At the time he left active service he was noted as the last remaining federal judge still active who was appointed by Johnson.

Role and responsibilities

As a United States district judge, Real presided over trials in federal court, addressing civil and criminal matters that fell under federal jurisdiction. Judges in the Central District of California handle a broad range of cases, from constitutional questions and federal statutes to significant commercial and entertainment-industry disputes, reflecting the region's size and economic diversity.

Career and tenure

Appointed in the mid-1960s, Real maintained a lengthy judicial career, later taking senior status while continuing to hear cases. His extended tenure made him one of the longest-serving federal judges during the period he remained active, and he retained a notable caseload well into advanced age. He formally retired from full active service in 2018.

Notable aspects and public attention

Long-serving judges often attract public attention both for the continuity they provide and for controversies that can arise in lengthy careers. Real's time on the bench drew commentary for his management style, the volume of cases he handled, and for instances in which his conduct or decisions prompted review or criticism. Such scrutiny is part of the broader framework of judicial accountability and oversight in the federal system.

Legacy and death

Real died on June 26, 2019 in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 95. His long service illustrates how individual judges can shape the administration of justice in a major federal district over many years, leaving a mixed legacy of longevity, influence, and debate about judicial practice.

Quick facts

  • Full name: Manuel Lawrence Real.
  • Appointed to the federal bench in 1966 by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
  • Served on the United States District Court for the Central District of California and later as a senior judge.
  • Died in Los Angeles, California, on June 26, 2019.

For a fuller account of his rulings, biography, and public record, consult dedicated judicial biographies and court archives hosted by official repositories and legal research services.