DEUKMEJIAN’S SUPREME COURT NOMINEES : David N. Eagleson : He Is Known for His Businesslike Approach to the Law, and Concern for Prompt Action

David N. Eagleson, 62, drew attention when, as presiding judge of Los Angeles Superior Court, he instituted a series of procedural reforms that sharply reduced a growing backlog of civil cases that at one point delayed trials up to five years from the time a suit was filed.

Increased use of arbitration, new limits on trial postponements and other streamlined processes combined with the filling of judicial vacancies to cut the backlog from more than 73,000 cases in 1981 to fewer than 35,000 a year later. The waiting time for trials was reduced to less than three years.

In interviews, Eagleson has been critical of the long period of time taken by the state Supreme Court to decide some cases and has indicated he might favor steps to speed the process.

Known for his businesslike approach to the law and concern with prompt action, Eagleson has playfully taped a small sign to the corner of his desk that reads “No Sniveling.”

Along with his reputation as an efficient administrator, Eagleson is known as a tough-minded but low-key conservative.

As an appellate justice, Eagleson ruled in 1985 that the state is not required to reimburse local governments for mandated cost-of-living increases in workers compensation benefits. The state Supreme Court later upheld the decision but on different grounds.

Last December, Eagleson, citing previous court rulings, held that parents or children cannot sue schools for damages when administrators improperly suspend or expel students.

Call for Injunction

When a student is expelled in violation of state laws, the remedy is to obtain an injunction requiring administrators to follow the correct procedures, Eagleson held in a unanimous ruling.

An expert on civil law who has handled relatively few criminal cases, Eagleson has upheld strict enforcement of environmental rules and regulations in several instances.

He blocked the proposed development of 775,000 acres of land in the Santa Monica Mountains in 1972 because the Board of Supervisors had failed to adopt an interim open space plan as required by state law.

In a case involving civil liberties, Eagleson barred enforcement of an ordinance prohibiting nudity at Los Angeles beaches, finding that the new law violated First Amendment guarantees of freedom of expression.

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Long Beach, Eagleson served as a U.S. Naval Aviation cadet during World War II before he was discharged because of an injury from flight training. He later won business administration and law degrees at USC before entering private law practice.

He was named to the Los Angeles Superior Court in 1970 by then-Gov. Ronald Reagan and served as presiding judge in 1981 and 1982. Gov. George Deukmejian elevated him to the 2nd District Court of Appeal in November, 1984.

Eagleson is the father of two children and has remarried after the death of his first wife. He lists golf, fishing, reading and gourmet cooking among his personal activities. An advocate of physical fitness, he runs or works out in a gymnasium each day.