Ex-District Judge Jack Lehman dies at 89

In his early childhood, Jack Lehman escaped death, and during his nearly 15-year tenure as a Clark County district judge, he gave thousands of struggling strangers a second chance at life.

Lehman, who created one of the nation’s first adult drug court programs in 1992, died Thursday while surrounded by family in California. He was 89.

The program, which still exists, offered drug offenders a year of inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment in lieu of prison time.

“It was something that was very near and dear to his heart,” said District Judge Carolyn Ellsworth, who now presides over the program.

Since its creation — and proven success — similar drug courts have cropped up throughout the state. Local specialty courts also have expanded to include the Juvenile Drug Court, Felony DUI Court and Mental Health Court, among others.

Ellsworth said she knew Lehman for about 40 years.

“Anybody would probably tell you that he could be very charming and helpful and friendly,” she said. “But he did not suffer fools lightly. If he felt someone wasn’t doing what they were supposed to do, he would let them know that in court.”

Laughing, she said that, as an attorney, “I always made sure to be completely prepared when I was in his courtroom.”

Lehman was born Jan. 28, 1928, to Jewish parents in Germany. During the Holocaust, his parents died, but at the age of 7, thanks to his father’s careful arrangements, both Lehman and his sister managed to escape to America alone as refugees.

Together, they were raised by adoptive parents in California.

“I guess I’ve always figured I owe this country and my community a heck of a lot for being welcomed,” Lehman told the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2002, when he announced his retirement from the District Court bench.

His daughter, Jessica Lehman Hirsch, said his traumatic history pushed him to effect change.

“He wanted to be a lawyer because he wanted to fight for people who didn’t have a voice, and he wanted to be a judge because he wanted to be in a position of authority, where he was able to dispense justice in a fair way,” she said.

‘Commander Lee’

Long before his judicial career began, Lehman was known in Las Vegas as “Commander Lee,” the host of a popular, space-themed children’s television show in the 1950s, which aired out of KLAS-TV. He got into broadcasting after serving in the Army’s psychological warfare program during the Korean War.

Lehman later worked as a publicist for former Gov. Grant Sawyer’s campaign and served as Nevada’s director of economic development from 1959 to 1963 before graduating from the University of Southern California’s law school in 1967.

After moving back to Las Vegas, Lehman practiced law for nearly two decades before taking the bench.

“He was a magnificent judge,” Nevada Supreme Court Justice Michael Cherry said. “What he did for those suffering from substance abuse was incredible. I can’t imagine the number of lives he saved.”

In 2008, the high court met in special session to honor Lehman’s innovation and dedication. Several judges from throughout the state attended. In 2012, Lehman again was honored in a ceremony marking the program’s 20th anniversary.

“He treated everyone equally,” Nevada Supreme Court Justice Mark Gibbons said.

And no matter how serious the crime, Lehman meticulously studied and memorized every case file, every passed or failed drug test, all extenuating circumstances.

“Some people didn’t succeed, but he did everything he could to get people to succeed,” Gibbons said. “And when somebody graduated, he’d call them up to the bench, shake their hand and take photos. He did this in front of everybody in drug court, maybe 50 people.”

Though Lehman’s life affected many, in his last years, he forgot much of his own. Alzheimer’s disease ravaged most of his memories, including those from his storied career.

But he never forgot the love he shared with his wife, LuLu Levinson, for more than 50 years. And he still found happiness, his daughter said.

Once an avid runner and hiker, Lehman walked 2 miles each day on the beach in California — 1 at sunrise and 1 at sunset. He watched his favorite teams on TV. He saw his family all the time.

“He was still singing,” his daughter said. Especially jazz. “He knew every lyric to every old song.”

Contact Rachel Crosby at rcrosby@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135. Follow @rachelacrosby on Twitter.