Frank G. Finlayson

Frank Graham Finlayson (March 24, 1864 – February 9, 1947) served in the California legislature. He also served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of California for a few months in 1926. Early life and education Finlayson was born March 24, 1864, in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia to James Ross Finlayson and Elizabeth Goodsir. In 1867, his family emigrated to California and he attended public schools. In 1885, he received a LL.B. degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. He joined the California bar the same year. Legal and judicial career Following graduation, he engaged for two years in private practice in San Francisco with the firm of Ladd & Finlayson. He then moved to Los Angeles and formed the firm with his father of Finlayson & Finlayson. In November 1892, he was elected on the Democratic Party ticket to the California State Assembly from the 73rd district for a term beginning January 1893. In January 1894, he published a treatise on the law of street improvements. In 1895, he was appointed an Assistant United States District Attorney for the Southern District of California, a post his father also held. In 1910, he ran successfully for the position of judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, which he held from January 2, 1911 to January 1, 1919, and was presiding judge from May 1, 1917. In February 1918, during World War I, Finlayson issued a permanent injunction against striking workers of the Southern California Iron and Steel Company. In June 1915, Finlayson was assigned to try to the artesian water case of City of San Bernardino v. City of Riverside.