JAMES R. BUCHER
Jim Bucher has been associated with Sasscer, Clagett & Bucher since September 1, 1958. He was a partner at the firm from January 1, 1965 until December 31, 2000, at which time he became Of Counsel . Mr. Bucher devoted 42 years to the practice of law in Prince George's County, the District of Columbia, and Southern Maryland. His practice focused on litigation and property transactions. A memorial service was held for Mr. Bucher on June 27, 2009.
In Memoriam James R. Bucher
HAL C. B. CLAGETT
MARYLAND STATE BAR PRESIDENT
Hal Clagett, a 9th generation Marylander, whose family won an English land grant in Prince Georges County in the 1670's, joined the firm early in his legal career. In World War II, Mr. Clagett received the Distinguished Flying Cross for tallying more than 20 combat runs as an Army Air Forces pilot in the South Pacific. He is not only a famous lawyer but a horseman. Five horses bred by Mr. Clagett have been Maryland Million winners, tying him for the most victories among the state's breeders. As a lawyer, he served as the president of the Maryland State Bar and as a delegate to the state constitutional convention of 1967. His legal career concluded in 1999 when he retired from the firm.
THE HONORABLE J. DUDLEY DIGGES, ASSOCIATE JUDGE
COURT OF APPEALS OF MARYLAND
Judge Digges began his practice of law in Charles County Maryland in 1936. After a few months he was approached by Lansdale G. Sasscer then a prominent member of the Maryland General Assembly about practicing law in Upper Marlboro. They subsequently formed a partnership known as Sasscer & Digges. With the exception of serving two years in the United States Army's Judge Advocate General Corps during World War II he practiced at Sasscer & Digges until 1949.
His reputation as a successful trial lawyer developed at Sasscer & Digges. His practice included personal injury litigation as a defense and a plaintiff's lawyer. In 1949 Judge Digges became youngest judge ever named to the Circuit Court of Maryland at that time. The 37 year old judge developed a reputation as a skilled trial judge. Before he left the Seventh Circuit he was named the chief judge. By 1969 he became the first son of a Ma0yland Court of Appeals judge to be appointed to the Maryland Court of Appeals. He served in the Court of Appeals until 1982. Judge Digges had a keen sense of humor and great pride in the Maryland Courts. As the chairman of the Committee to celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of the Court of Appeals introduced four justices of the United States Supreme Court who had come to Annapolis for the Ceremony. Judge Digges observed that the United States Supreme Court was formed after the Maryland Court of Appeals and added:
Being an older judicial body than the Supreme Court of the United States we have a paternal interest in that institution. But, like all juveniles, they become obstreperous every now and then and rebel against paternal guidance.
The J. Dudley Digges Inn of Court in Baltimore was organized to encourage the scholarship and legal professionalism that Judge Digges represents. Phillip Zuber, of Sasscer Clagett & Bucher is a charter member and master of the J. Dudley Digges Inns of Court.
THOMAS FARRINGTON
POLITICAL STRATEGIST
CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST
Thomas Farrington was a well known Democratic party political strategist and civil rights leader. Before he entered the practice of law he served as an Army ranger and a paratrooper. Thereafter he attended Yale law school. His legal career in Prince George's County began when he joined the Sasscer law firm. Mr. Farrington eventually formed his own practice in the 1980's. He remained active in the practice of law until his untimely death in 1997.
Tom was a civil rights activist. According to newspaper accounts, when he joined he was the only white member of the Prince George's Chapter of the NAACP. He then managed the Prince Georges County gubernatorial campaign for Marvin Mandel (D) in the 1970's. He was also the chairman of the Prince Georges County Democratic Central Committee. He successful managed Tommie Broadwater's campaign. Mr. Broadwater became the first black state senator from Prince George's County.
According to Congressman Steny Hoyer (D. Md.) "[Mr. Farrington] was uniquely suited to be sort of a bridge and bring everybody in . . . . [he] was very committed, and he brought a real intellectual drive to the practical side of politics." Tommie Broadwater noted that Farrington "represented the black people's positions" at "all the big-time meetings. . . he did a hell of a job, took a hell of a beating."
THE HONORABLE JERROLD V. POWERS OF THE
MARYLAND COURT OF SPECIAL APPEALS
Judge Powers began his legal career in 1937 in Prince George's County. His legal career was interrupted by World War II when he served as a Navy Lieutenant commander in the Pacific theater. By 1950 he was a senior partner in what now is the law firm of Sasscer, Clagett & Bucher. He later became a county attorney for Prince George's. In 1970 he was appointed to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals by Governor Marvin Mandel.
After retiring from the bench in 1978 he became the Chairman of the Maryland State Board of law Examiners. He also served as the Chairman of the Prince George's Hospital Commission from 1960 to 1970.
THE HONORABLE JAMES P. SALMON OF THE
MARYLAND COURT OF SPECIAL APPEALS
Judge Salmon is currently a Judge of the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. He began his legal career as a clerk to Judge Charles C. Marbury of the Court Appeals in 1965. Following his clerkship he associated with the firm of Duckett, Orem, Christie & Beckett. By 1969 he left to join Sasscer, Clagett, Channing & Bucher. He became a widely respected trial and appellate advocate, trying many state and federal court cases, including the famous six month long "Death Squad" cases. He was a partner of the firm from 1970 to 1988, when he was appointed as a Judge to the Circuit Court for Prince Georges County where he served for several years until he was appointed to the Court of Special Appeals in 1994.
LANSDALE G. SASSCER
UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN
Congressman Sasscer started practicing law in 1914 after graduating from Dickinson Law School. He suspended his practice of law to serve as a first lieutenant in the Fifty-Ninth Artillery in World War I from 1917-1919. Upon his return he resumed the practice of law. He then served as a state senator from 1922-1938. He was the president of the Maryland State Senate in 1935 and 1937.
He joined the United States House of Representatives in 1939 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Stephen W. Gambrill. He was elected to five consecutive terms from 1939 until January 3, 1953. After an unsuccessful run for the nomination for a United States Senator he returned full-time to the practice of law. He remained active in politics, such as hosting Senator Kennedy as he ran for President, and was considered one of the most influential and able citizens and attorneys in the County. He unexpectedly died in 1964 while still practicing law.
