[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E560-E561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO ALLEN RUBY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 9, 2008

  Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Madam Speaker, tonight Allen Ruby will 
be honored by the University of Santa Clara School of Law. Since the 
House is in session, I will not be able to participate in this 
important event. But I do want to note that there is no one more worthy 
of honor and recognition as a lawyer and as a person than Allen Ruby.
  In 1965, after earning his bachelor of arts from Michigan State 
University in only 3 years, he came west to Stanford Law School. Since 
graduating from Stanford Law School in 1969 he has practiced criminal 
and civil law in San Jose. His demonstrated skill and commitment to 
justice enabled him to be admitted to the Supreme Court Bar in 1993.
  I first came to know Allen Ruby when I was a member of the Santa 
Clara County Board of Supervisors. The county was embroiled as a 
defendant in long-standing litigation. As the only county supervisor 
who was also an attorney, it fell to me to recommend to my colleagues 
the best lawyer in town to represent the county's interest. Allen Ruby 
was the best. To participate with Allen Ruby in preparation of the 
county's case was to watch an attorney of rare talent. He acted with 
integrity and ingenuity and served the people of Santa Clara County 
well.
  Allen Ruby has represented a who's who of clients not only in Silicon 
Valley, but around the United States.
  One of his most important public interest cases was the government 
false claims whistle-blower case, United States of America ex rel Henry 
Boisvert v. FMC Corp. The matter began when Boisvert, an FMC test 
analyst, found deficiencies in the U.S. Army's Bradley Fighting 
Vehicle. The all-terrain vehicle was designed to carry troops and 
equipment through water and on land but it leaked, making it a danger 
for troops. As a result of his continued reporting of vehicle flaws, 
Boisvert was terminated from his employment. Allen Ruby was able to 
prove that the termination by FMC was wrongful after he filed suit 
under the False Claims Act.
  Ruby's zealous representation of Boisvert for the last 5 years of 
this 14-year lawsuit resulted in an important victory for the public 
interest as well as the individual whistleblower.
  Mr. Ruby's extraordinary ability in trial is also appreciated by his 
colleagues. Their respect for Mr. Ruby gained him membership in the 
American Board of Trial Advocates and the International Academy of 
Trial Lawyers. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. 
In 1999, the Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers Association named him 
Trial Lawyer of the Year.
  Mr. Ruby's integrity was not just noted by clients and colleagues, 
the Santa Clara County Superior Court also recognized his expertise and 
skill by naming him Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Pro Tem, 
presiding over jury trials and court trials from 1987 to 1991.
  Allen Ruby's legal career is impressive and his legal acumen has made 
him an attorney who has merited the trust of individuals and 
corporations in the most crucial of times. But the legal acumen that 
has inspired that trust is built on his values and deep commitment to 
justice.
  His personal sense of responsibility to insuring access to our system 
of justice has moved him to take action outside of his profession as 
well. Amidst his landmark cases, he has still made time to serve others 
in several capacities, including as a Silicon Valley Law Foundation 
board member.
  Allen Ruby is honored and famed as a trial lawyer, but he grew up in 
a family of modest means. He was blessed by parents who loved and 
nurtured him and helped him to develop the values that have served him 
well throughout his life. Between high school and law school Allen Ruby 
followed in the footsteps of his father and was a wrestler on the 
Midwestern professional wrestling circuit. He learned many lessons 
through this experience, many of which have contributed to his success 
as an attorney. He has stated about the experience, ``I learned how to 
get beat and not

[[Page E561]]

whine about it, and that was the most valuable lesson I could have 
learned as a trial lawyer.''
  Allen Ruby is not only a spectacular lawyer, he is a valued friend 
and a respected member of our community in Silicon Valley. I join with 
Santa Clara Law School in recognizing and honoring him.

                          ____________________