Joseph Arthur Padway

Joseph Arthur Padway (July 25, 1891 – October 9, 1947) was an American labor lawyer and politician.

Joseph Arthur Padway
Padway c. 1925
Judge of the Milwaukee Civil Court
In office January 1, 1926 – December 1, 1926
Appointed by	John J. Blaine
In office January 1, 1924 – January 5, 1925
Appointed by	John J. Blaine
Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 6th district
In office January 5, 1925 – January 1, 1926
Preceded by	Joseph J. Hirsch
Succeeded by	Alex C. Ruffing
Personal details
Born	July 25, 1891 Leeds, England
Died	October 9, 1947(1947-10-09) (aged 56) San Francisco, California
Occupation	Labor lawyer politician

Biography

Padway speaking before the Senate Labor Committee, 1939

Born in Leeds, England on July 25, 1891, but went to Milwaukee in 1905. Admitted to the State Bar of Wisconsin in 1912. He was appointed legal counsel for the Wisconsin State Federation of Labor three years later. He married Lydia Paetow on March 9, 1912. He was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate on the Socialist Party of America ticket and served in the 1925 session of the Wisconsin State Legislature. Padway was twice appointed to the Milwaukee civil court bench (1924, 1926). After 1927 he was associated with the Progressive Republicans in Wisconsin.

Padway played a major role in shaping Wisconsin labor legislation between 1915 and 1935. Upon his appointment as the first general counsel of the American Federation of Labor, he moved to Washington where he served until his death. In this capacity, he successfully defended the constitutionality of the National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) before the United States Supreme Court. He died in San Francisco, California on October 9, 1947.

External links

• The Papers of Joseph Arthur Padway, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• The Political Graveyard