Wednesday, October 8, 2003
Page 1
Superior Court Judge Warren G. Greene Dies at 54
By a MetNews Staff Writer
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Warren G. Greene, 54, died yesterday after a battle with leukemia.
Greene, who had been assigned to the San Fernando courthouse, had been ill but his death was unexpected, a member of his court staff said. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made, the staff member said.
Greene was appointed to the Superior Court by then-Gov. Pete Wilson in 1996. He heard criminal cases in Norwalk following his appointment, but spent most of his judicial career in San Fernando.
At the time of his appointment, the business litigator was a partner in the Century City firm of Rutter, Greene & Hobbs. He had been with the firm since 1980 and had served from 1990 to 1992 as its first managing partner.
Greene was an associate with Rutter, Ebbert & O’Sullivan from 1976 to 1980 and with Snow & Snow from 1974 to 1976. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Stanford University in 1971 and his law degree at USC in 1974.
A former law partner of the judge, Marshall Rutter of Rutter Hobbs & Davidoff, said Greene was diagnosed with leukemia about two months ago and had been off the bench since. He had been in and out of the hospital, but doctors had told him his disease was in remission, and he had hoped to resume his duties in December or January, Rutter said.
“Because of his strong will, we were confident that he would make it back,” the attorney commented.
The judge developed complications while undergoing a hospital procedure for a fungal lung cyst yesterday and died during the procedure, Rutter explained.
“I knew him from the earliest days of his practice,” Rutter said. “He was always one of the most courageous, honest and determined lawyers, who held his clients’ interest foremost but who was always extremely ethical and gentlemanly in his practice.”
Greene always wanted a judicial career, Rutter recalled, adding:
“He fulfilled his goal in life of being a judge.”
Copyright 2003, Metropolitan News Company