Former UCLA law professor leaves legacy of excellence

Former UCLA law Professor Wesley J. Liebeler, who was a counsel
for the government commission that investigated the assassination
of John F. Kennedy, was killed on Wednesday after his twin-engine
plane crashed in New Hampshire. He was 71.

Liebeler “was a man of very strong views who expressed
them well,” said 35-year UCLA law professor and colleague,
Arthur Rosett.

“I am very sad to see him go in that way,” he
added.

In a statement, Jonathan Varat, the dean of the UCLA School of
Law, said, “For a long time, (Liebeler)’s inimitable
laughter, keen mind and irreverent, independent and often
challenging ideas filled our halls, classrooms, and
offices.”

“It is sad to have to report that his voice is now
stilled, though memories and his writings will continue to speak
for some time to come,” Varat continued in the statement.

Liebeler joined the UCLA School of Law faculty in 1965 where he
taught antitrust law and constitutional political economy for more
than 30 years. Since 1999, he taught the same subjects at George
Mason University.

Liebeler was also well-known for his government work.

After practicing law in New York, Liebeler joined the staff of
the Warren Commission in 1964 to investigate Kennedy’s
death.

Later, while on leave from UCLA from 1975-1976, he successfully
rallied for consumer rights as Federal Trade Commission director of
the Office of Policy Planning and Evaluation, said a press release
from George Mason University.

Liebeler’s work helped convince the Supreme Court to
change its interpretation of old business-owner favoring anti-trust
laws so that more consideration in legal decisions was given to
consumer welfare, the statement said.

Liebeler died along with his flight instructor, Alan Emerson,
when their plane crashed into Lake Winnipesaukee during a training
flight.

Liebeler was an experienced single-engine pilot learning how to
fly a twin-engine plane, said Chris Clayton, the Emerson flight
school’s director of maintenance.

It was not known who was at the controls of the plane when it
went down.

Liebeler is survived by his wife Susan and their three
children.

With reports from the Associated Press