Joseph E. Finley

Background

Joseph E. was born on August 7, 1919, in Portageville, Missouri, United States.

Education

Joseph received Bachelor of Journalism at University of Missouri, and then he earned Bachelor of Laws at Yale University.

Career

Finley established himself as an attorney and served as general counsel of the Office and Professional Employees International Union for more than forty years. He also became historian for the union. Before being admitted to the District of Columbia Bar in 1951 and the Ohio Bar in 1957, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II, eventually obtaining the rank of captain. He worked at Woll, Glenn and Thatcher in Washington, D.C., beginning in 1951, before turning to private practice in 1954. In 1961 he became Part of the firm of Metzenbaum, Gaines, Finley and Stern in Ohio, where he remained until 1971 when he returned to private practice, this time in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He advocated for OPEIU members in many court cases including several before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Besides having a private practice, he was a partner of Metzenbaum, Gaines, Finley and Stern, in Cleveland, Ohio, 1961 to 1970. He was also General Counsel for the International Brotherhood of Pottery and Allied Workers, East Liverpool, Ohio, from 1970 to 1983.

Achievements

• He was a prolific writer whose works include ''The Corrupt Kingdom'' on the United Mine Workers of America, the critically acclaimed novel, ''Missouri Blue'', which was part autobiographical, as well as several books on horse racing under a pseudonym.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Missouri Blue 1976
  • The Corrupt Kingdom: The Rise and Fall of the United Mine Workers 1973
  • White collar union: The story of the OPEIU and its people 1975
  • Retail Store Employees Union, Local 954 v. LaSalle & Koch Co. U.S. Supreme Court Transcript of Record with Supporting Pleadings

Connections

Joseph had a wife, Doctor Joanne Finely, daughter and fellow lawyer, Lucinda Finley and his sons, Scott, William and Ethan Finley.

Spouse:

Joanne Finely

Daughter:

Lucinda Finley

Son:

Scott Finely

Son:

William Finely

Son:

Ethan Finley