The University of Chicago Library > Special Collections Research Center > Finding Aids > Guide to the Soia Mentschikoff Papers 1929-1973
© 2007 University of Chicago Library
| Title: | Mentschikoff, Soia. Papers |
|---|---|
| Dates: | 1929-1973 |
| Size: | 9.25 linear feet (19 boxes) |
| Repository: |
Special Collections Research Center |
| Abstract: | Soia Mentschikoff (J.D.'37 Columbia University) taught at the University of Chicago Law School from 1951 through 1974. Best known for her work on the Uniform Commercial Code, Mentschikoff is also remembered as one of the first women to make a mark in American law. The first woman to teach at Harvard Law School and at the Unversity of Chicago Law School, she was also the first female dean at the University of Miami (1974-1981). The Soia Mentschikoff Papers consist largely of research materials, particularly those related to her work on commercial arbitration. Additionally, the collection includes a small correspondence series, some teaching materials, writings and lectures, as well as materials related to the work and teaching of her husband Karl Llewellyn. |
Series VII includes student records, which are restricted for eighty years.
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Mentschikoff, Soia. Papers, [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
Soia Mentschikoff (1915-1984) was born in Russia to American parents and moved to the United States shortly before the Revolution. She began her undergraduate degree at the age of fifteen, studying political science and English at Hunter College in New York. Upon graduation, she moved on to Columbia University where she completed her law degree in 1937. While working at several Wall Street firms, Mentshikoff developed a expertise in both labor and commercial law, writing extensively on arbitration and mediation. In 1942, she was appointed by the American Law Institute as Assistant Chief Reporter on the Uniform Commercial Code, a project that would establish her as a leading figure in American law. The Chief Reporter, Karl Llewellyn, would, in 1946, become Mentschikoff's husband. In 1951, both Mentschikoff and Llewellyn accepted positions with the University of Chicago Law School. Llewellyn died in 1962 and Mentschikoff remained at the university until 1974, when she accepted the position as dean of Miami University. She retired in 1981.
The Soia Mentschikoff Papers contain 9.25 linear feet of material and span 1929-1973, though the bulk of the materials were generated in the 1950s. The collection consists primarily of research materials related to Mentschikoff's work on arbitration and commercial law. Additionally, there are several smaller series that house materials related to Mentschikoff's teaching, writing and correspondence, and to the work of her husband, legal scholar Karl Llewellyn. Lastly, there is a series of general files which consists of materials that do not fit under these rubrics.
The following related resources are located in the Department of Special Collections:
http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/spcl/select.html
University of Chicago. Law School. Records
Karl N. Llewellyn. Papers
Arbitration Study. Records
Series I: Research |
Series I consists largely of materials related to Mentschikoff's work on arbitration. These materials include reports, memoranda, correspondence, and extensive research notes, both qualitative and quantitative. Additionally, Subseries II: General Files contains research materials that do not pertain to Mentschikoff's work on arbitration, including papers regarding taxation, jury selection, and the stock exchange.
Subseries I: Arbitration Project |
| Box 1 Folder 1 | Folder titled "Labor, arbitration": Copy of "Compulsory Arbitration" (publication of the National Association of Manufacturers), press release of the Wage Stabilization Board, 1951-1952 |
| Box 1 Folder 2 | Australian Law: Copy of Mark Perlman's "The Australian Arbitration System: An Analytical Description," 1951 |
| Box 1 Folder 3-6 | Memoranda and correspondence regarding the arbitration project, 1952-1958 |
| Box 1 Folder 7 | Arbitration bibliography: Reprint of Jay W. Stein's "Classifying Arbitration," bibliography typescripts, 1952-1956 |
| Box 1 Folder 8 | Roger Heyns' "Comments on Arbitration Proposal," 1952 |
| Box 1 Folder 9 | Correspondence with the American Arbitration Association, 1952-1957 |
| Box 2 Folder 1 | Correspondence with the American Arbitration Association, 1952-1957 |
| Box 2 Folder 2 | Materials related to the Uniform Arbitration Act: Proposals, draft of the Act, memoranda, correspondence, 1953-1957 |
| Box 2 Folder 3 | New York Law: Copy of New York State Bar Association newsletter with piece about arbitration, 1953 |
| Box 2 Folder 4 | Typescript copy of "AAA Labor Arbitrations in 1954," 1954 |
| Box 2 Folder 5 | Materials related to the development of the arbitration project: Proposals, meeting minutes, notes, correspondence, 1954 |
| Box 2 Folder 6 | Folder titled "American Arbitration 1954 Draft, Norman Miller": Typescript, 1954 |
| Box 2 Folder 7 | Copy of Arbitration Bibliography, published by the American Arbitration Association, 1954 |
| Box 2 Folder 8-9 | General files related to Mentschikoff's work on arbitration: Reports, correspondence, notes, memoranda, 1955-1956 |
| Box 2 Folder 10 | International Chamber of Commerce and UNESCO arbitration materials: Correspondence, reports, 1955-1958 |
| Box 3 Folder 1-3 | International Chamber of Commerce and UNESCO arbitration materials: Correspondence, reports, 1955-1958 |
| Box 3 Folder 4 | Copies of David Jackson's "Choice of Law," 5x7 cards with case notes, clipping, correspondence, 1955 |
| Box 3 Folder 5-8 | Folder titled "History of Arbitration (Bill Jones)": Typescript copies of unspecified texts, correspondence, 1955 |
| Box 4 Folder 1 | Written demand for arbitration (through the American Arbitration Association) on the part of Crane Import Co., 1956 |
| Box 4 Folder 2 | Typescript copy of experimental case presented to panels of arbitrators, 1957 |
| Box 4 Folder 3 | Folder titled "Advisory Committee: Materials": Quantitative data related to arbitration project, 1957 |
| Box 4 Folder 4 | Notes on speech about arbitration delivered by E.A. Haggard, 1957 |
| Box 4 Folder 5-9 | Revisions, and related correspondence, of Stock Exchange study, related to Mentschikoff's work on arbitration, 1958 |
| Box 4 Folder 10 | Folder titled "Soia's Book": Unidentified typescripts, notes, 1960 |
| Box 5 Folder 1 | "Commercial Arbitration: Project Memorandum," n.d. |
| Box 5 Folder 2 | Unspecified typescript titled "Chapter IV: The Field Study, Parts I and II: Cases with Initial Unanimous Panels & Cases with Panels in Initial Dissent and Final Consensus," n.d. |
| Box 5 Folder 3 | Typescript copy of Robert H. Bork's "Research Methods for the Arbitration Project," n.d. |
| Box 5 Folder 4-6 | 5x7 cards with case notes, n.d. |
| Box 5 Folder 7-8 | Quantative research data sheets (involving arbitration questionnaire), n.d. |
| Box 6 Folder 1-3 | Quantative research data sheets (involving arbitration questionnaire), n.d. |
Subseries II: General Research Files |
| Box 6 Folder 4 | Jury Project: Tables, reports, notes, 1953-1955 |
| Box 6 Folder 5-6 | Materials related to work with Peter Lederer on appellate decision making: Typescripts, notes, tables, survey information, questionnaire, 1957 |
| Box 6 Folder 7 | Tax Project: Questionnaires, memoranda, notes, 1957 |
| Box 7 Folder 1 | Materials gathered under heading "Traditional Security Devices": Typescripts, notes, cases, 1965 |
| Box 7 Folder 2-5 | Group of papers housed together with subheadings such as "Jury Project (con’t)," "Legal Studies," "Stock Ex. Code," n.d |
| Box 7 Folder 6-7 | Unidentified quantitative research data, correspondence, n.d. |
| Box 8 Folder 1-2 | Unidentified quantitative research data, correspondence, n.d. |
Series II: Teaching |
This series consists almost exclusively of photocopied course readings. Some folders also contain exam templates and notes. All classes listed in the series were taught by Mentschikoff unless otherwise noted.
| Box 8 Folder 3 | Final examination for course titled "Contracts," 1939 |
| Box 8 Folder 4 | Readings for course titled "Commercial Law Practice," 1952 |
| Box 8 Folder 5-7 | Readings for course titled "Commercial Law Practice," 1956-1958 |
| Box 9 Folder 1-5 | Readings for course titled "Commercial Law Practice," 1956-1958 |
| Box 9 Folder 6 | Readings and assignment sheets for course titled "Commercial Law Practice," 1960 |
| Box 9 Folder 7 | Readings and assignment sheets for course titled "Commercial Law Practice," 1962 |
| Box 10 Folder 1-2 | Readings for course titled "Commercial Law Practice," 1965 |
| Box 10 Folder 3-6 | Readings and assignment sheets for course titled "Commercial Law Practice," n.d. |
| Box 10 Folder 7 | Readings for course titled "Commercial Law," taught by Gilmore, 1957 |
| Box 10 Folder 8 | Readings, notes, and exam sheet for course titled "International Commercial Problems" (co-taught with Katzenbach, Llewellyn, and Steffen), 1957 |
| Box 11 Folder 1-2 | Readings, notes, and exam sheet for course titled "International Commercial Problems" (co-taught with Katzenbach, Llewellyn, and Steffen), 1957 |
| Box 11 Folder 3 | Readings on arbitration for unspecified class ("Graduate Seminar"), 1953 |
| Box 11 Folder 4 | "Minutes of the General Graduate Seminar: Legal Education": Typescript, 1954 |
| Box 11 Folder 5 | Readings for course titled "Arbitration," 1956 |
| Box 11 Folder 6 | Readings for H.M Smith course titled "Foreign Trade Seminar," 1956 |
| Box 11 Folder 7 | Readings for Mr. Miller's Federal Taxation III, 1971 |
| Box 11 Folder 8 | Readings for William L. Twining course titled "Problems of Law and Government in Contemporary Africa II," n.d. |
Series III: Writings and Lectures |
The bulk of this series consists of a collection of writings titled "Commercial Law Practice." These writings were bound and grouped together within the collection when delivered to Special Collections. The series also includes a handful of articles and lectures, typically as typescript copies.
| Box 11 Folder 9 | Reprint copies of Mentschikoff's "The Significance of Arbitration - A Preliminary Inquiry," 1951 See also Series I: Research Subseries II: Arbitration |
| Box 11 Folder 10 | Typescript of lecture on commercial arbitration, 1955 |
| Box 11 Folder 11 | Typescript copies of speech about the arbitration project delivered at an alumni luncheon, memoranda, 1956-1957 |
| Box 11 Folder 12-13 | "Theory of Decision-Making: Introduction": Typescript labeled "Mentschikoff-Haggard," related correspondence, additional typescript titled "Major Factors in Decision," 1956 |
| Box 12 Folder 1 | Encyclopedia Britannica entry for arbitration in the United States, 1956 |
| Box 12 Folder 2 | Typescript drafts of speech delivered to the IALS, 1957 |
| Box 12 Folder 3 | Unidentified typescript of speech about commercial arbitration, 1957 |
| Box 12 Folder 4-9 | Commercial Law Practice: Bound typescripts, 1957-1958 See also Series II: Teaching |
| Box 13 Folder 1-7 | Commercial Law Practice: Bound typescripts, 1957-1958 See also Series II: Teaching |
Series IV: Correspondence |
| Box 14 Folder 1-3 | Correspondence, A-Z, 1949-1966 |
Series V: Karl Llewellyn |
A number of documents pertaining to the career of Karl Llewellyn were found interspersed throughout Mentschikoff's papers. They have been grouped together as a series and include course readings, and several unidentified typescripts.
| Box 14 Folder 4 | Final examination for Llewellyn course titled "Sales," 1929 |
| Box 14 Folder 5 | Readings for Llewellyn course titled "General Graduate Seminar," 1953 |
| Box 14 Folder 6 | Readings titled "Elements: Statutes for Disclaimer Series" for unspecified Llewellyn course, 1957 |
| Box 14 Folder 7 | Llewellyn manuscripts: Typescripts, n.d. |
| Box 14 Folder 8 | Course proposal for "Primitive, Ancient and Archaic Law," as drawn up by Llewellyn and Rheinstein, n.d. |
| Box 14 Folder 9 | "On Making Facts Argue": Typescript labeled "Llewellyn - Legal Argument," n.d. |
| Box 14 Folder 10 | "Summary of Facts in Crippen Case": Typescript, n.d. |
| Box 14 Folder 11 | Unidentified typescript with index and table of contents (headings include: "Argument of Fact - Chiefly Oral, chiefly summation, to a jury" and "The Crippen Case," n.d. |
| Box 15 Folder 1-2 | Unidentified typescript with index, found grouped together with a set of legal reprints, n.d. |
Series VI: General Files |
| Box 15 Folder 3 | Supreme Court of Illinois Opinion in unspecified case, 1952 |
| Box 15 Folder 4 | Folder titled "Material on Sales Book, Auerbach etc.: Typescripts, notes, clipping, correspondence with Boris Auerbach, 1953 |
| Box 15 Folder 5 | Correspondence of Norman Miller, 1954-1957 |
| Box 15 Folder 6 | Reprint copy (as published in Sociologica) of Allen H. Barton and Paul F. Lazarsfeld’s "Some Functions of Qualitative Analysis in Social Research," 1955 |
| Box 15 Folder 7 | Comprehensive list of published works growing out of projects sponsored by the Columbia Council for Research in the Social Sciences, 1956 |
| Box 15 Folder 8 | Folder titled "Katz: Incorporation by Reference, May '58": Notes on Riverdale Fabrics Corp. v. Tillinghast-Stiles Co., 1958 |
| Box 15 Folder 9 | Transcript of record for the twelfth annual national moot court competition, 1961 |
| Box 15 Folder 10 | Copy of UNESCO report on the "Main Trends of Research in the Social and Human Sciences," 1973 |
| Box 15 Folder 11 | "History of Supreme Court Rule 59": Typescript prepared by the Chicago Bar Association, n.d. |
| Box 16 Folder 1-2 | "Chapter II: Problems of Procedure in Enforcing National Regulatory Policies Over International Business Transactions: Section B: Obtaining Personal Jurisdiction Over a Foreign Corporation Owned by a Foreign Government": Typescript, author and source unspecified, n.d. |
| Box 16 Folder 3 | Unidentified typescript with table of contents which includes "Chapter I: Introduction to the History and Logic of Intraclass Correlation," n.d. |
| Box 16 Folder 4 | Unidentified typescript with the heading "Chapter 3: The Process of Rate-Making," n.d. |
| Box 16 Folder 5 | Report, drawn up by Mentschikoff, for the members of subcommittee no. 3 (no further identification given), n.d. |
| Box 16 Folder 6 | Two sets of hand written notes, one titled "Comparative Law Seminar" and the other "Llewellyn," n.d. |
| Box 16 Folder 7 | Handwritten notes in folder titled "History of Comm. Court and Arbitration," n.d. |
| Box 16 Folder 8 | Unidentified loose materials: Notes, tables, typescript excerpt, n.d. |
| Box 16 Folder 9 | Audio flexography recordings of Mentschikoff lectures, n.d. |
| Box 17 Folder 1-2 | Audio flexography recordings of Mentschikoff lectures, n.d. |
| Box 17 Folder 3-6 | Photocopies of articles, cases, chapters, found as loose materials within the Mentschikoff collection, most of which are not dated or identified, n.d. |
| Box 18 Folder 1-6 | Photocopies of articles, cases, chapters, found as loose materials within the Mentschikoff collection, most of which are not dated or identified, n.d. |
Series VII: Restricted Materials |
| Box 19 Folder 1-2 | Student papers [Restricted 80 years: evaluative student materials], 1954-1957 |