In Memoriam: Charles Whitebread
We'd like to take a moment and acknowledge the great life and career of Professor Charles H. Whitebread. Professor Whitebread passed away Tuesday, in Santa Monica, California.
Professor Whitebread was a legend at the USC Gould School of Law, but most attorneys will remember him for his BAR/BRI Criminal Law lectures. We fondly remember the bow-tied professor for adding a bit of levity at a time when we were stressed beyond belief.
He is survived by his life partner, John Golden, and his devoted friend Michael Kelly.
The USC Gould School of Law will hold a memorial for Professor Whitebread at a date still to be determined. Donations to the Charles H. Whitebread Memorial Scholarship may be sent to the law school.

firsty
first
thirdsty
awe :-( RIP i saw his BarBri lecture this past summer and people said he was ill. his humor will be missed.
very sad - he was a great educator
firsty
"don't love 'em, don't hate 'em, they don't love you"
i wonder if he passed in plain view...
He had a helpful book on law school exams too. RIP Mr. Whitebread.
memories...
PLAIN view...PLAIN view... PLAIN view...
He was a bright spot in an otherwise dismal set of BarBri lectures.
Hands down the best lecturer in Bar Bri.
I count myself extremely lucky to have taken his last CivPro class before he died. What an entertaining, thoughtful professor. He will be missed.
An absolutely hilarious and memorable lecturer. Rest in peace, professor.
Wow, I didnt know he was gay!
Charles Whitebread was the best law school lecturer ever.
Very sad
Prof. Whitebread was great. Condolences to his family and loved ones, and to those who will miss out on his terrific lectures.
Cal BAR/BRI was many many moons ago, but I'll always remember his lecture. Damn those were funny. The room we were in was big and terrible and he would wander around during the breaks and ask if we could hear him ok in various places.
This is very sad news. He was a great professor.
He was the best. The best.
this is extremely sad. his Bar/Bri lectures really did make an awful time a lot easier. he was the best. RIP, professor. condolences to his partner and loved ones.
RIP
He was an odd bird... still, hard not to feel bad about his passing. RIP to a legendary sense of humor!
"We fondly remember the bow-tied professor for adding a bit of levity at a time when we were stressed beyond belief."
In all seriousness, me too. The week before the bar exam, I watched that part of the lecture at least a few times. Got me through.
A great lecturer. A loss for the profession.
What a loss. I was privileged to have Professor Whitebread as a guest lecturer when I was in law school. He was captivating, intelligent and hilarious. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and students who will no doubt miss him dearly.
I was lucky enough to have Charlie Whitebread as my T& E professor many years ago at University of Virginia. He was a wonderful educator, a talented man, and a great person.
God bless you, Charlie.
Professor Whitebread on kidnapping:
"The elements of kidnapping: you have to have (a) a kid and (b) a napping." A cute and memorable way to encourage stressed-out law school graduates not to overthink everything while studying for the bar.
Professor Whitebread on kidnapping:
"The elements of kidnapping: you have to have (a) a kid and (b) a napping." A cute and memorable way to encourage stressed-out law school graduates not to overthink everything while studying for the bar.
His book on taking exams was the most useful thing I read in law school.
Professor Whitebread on kidnapping:
"The elements of kidnapping: you have to have (a) a kid and (b) a napping." A cute and memorable way to encourage stressed-out law school graduates not to overthink everything while studying for the bar.
Whoever didn't know he was gay needs to get their gaydar checked (assuming the person saw Whitebread's Barbri lectures, at least). I took Barbri 12 years ago and still remember his lectures. They were truly excellent. RIP
Professor Whitebread seems to have inspired the least snarky thread of ATL comments ever, which is perhaps a fitting tribute. I echo the view that he was Bar/BRI's bright spot. RIP
Professor Whitebread taught us all more Crim in one BarBri lecture than we learned all semester. He made us forget we were in an un-air conditioned, un-windowed, stuffy room in the heat of July, and made us laugh during one of the most stressful times in our lives. Future BarBri students do not know what they will be missing...
I am a joyless, bloodsucking bastard. But during the most joyless time of my joyless, bloodsucking life, he made me laugh. Why does he have to die, while others get to live to 95?
29/30 - not funny on the July 2007 MBE when the last question of the entire day was on kidnapping.
That said, he was the only shining moment in a miserable summer, and future BarBri takers don't know what they are missing. RIP Charlie.
godspeed senior whitebread!
36-Well said!
Favorite story -- was studying for the VA bar, and he gave the lecture on Virginia Crim Pro (way to many subjects on the VA bar, btw). Anyway, he comes to prisoners' rights:
"If you are answering a question with an issue on prisoners' rights, remember this: in Virginia, prisoners have two rights -- the right to shut up, and the right to stay in jail. That is all."
He had the room rolling with that one. Great teacher -- he'll be missed.
I had the privilege of taking 2 classes with Charlie at USC and agree that his lecture was hands-down the highlight of BarBri. ("Glib understanding!" was certainly a better mantra than Sakai's "spot all the issues, know all the law, and correctly apply the law.")
He will be sorely missed. More upsetting is that future students and BarBri takers have absolutely no idea what they will be missing.
A great educator and a great human being; Charlie will be missed.
As a UVa undergrad, I audited Charlie's criminal law course, aptly nicknamed "The Circus." His Princeton honors history classsmates will remember his famous "alleged inferiority" performance ("I move to delete the word 'inferiority'"), for which the Princeton faculty recommended him to the Yale Law School as the "smartest neo-Nazi we've ever sent you."
As a UVa undergrad, I audited Charlie's criminal law course, aptly nicknamed "The Circus." His Princeton honors history classsmates will remember his famous "alleged inferiority" performance ("I move to delete the word 'inferiority'"), for which the Princeton faculty recommended him to the Yale Law School as the "smartest neo-Nazi we've ever sent you."
A great educator and a great human being; Charlie will be missed.
Prof Whitebread gave me the best advice I ever got on how to take law school exams when I was a 1L. He was a great guy and he will be missed.
I just want to say for the record that if you are "first-ing" the sad passing of a beloved educator, you are truly a terrible person. In fact, you are so lacking in judgment that, well, I'm not going to say anything about your choice of profession, but it's still a major douche move.
I had the privilege of taking "Law & Society" with Professor Whitebread as an undergrad at USC... He was a fantastic, enthralling lecturer, and I regret not getting to know him better. I'll certainly miss him and I'm sure all who have attended his lectures will too. May he rest in peace.
I like his story about his own Bar Exam experience. Being stressed out, being put in a smokers room (when he was a non-smoker), and being put in a typing room (when he didn't type), and it all being in a non-airconditioned 5th floor room.
His best comment was when he said the guy in front of him said "you know people take prep courses for this exam." There are a lot of people in that room dummer than you.
RIP.
He really did teach me more in one BarBri session than I learned the entire semester of my Criminal Law course.
a wonderful barbri lecturer and professor, rip professor whitebread
Truly the highlight of my California BarBri experience. Rest in peace, sir.
He was quite the educator. Always put the student first. Even when we had breaks during BARBRI, he would walk around and ask if anyone had any questions. I wonder if he still did the raping of the bunny rabbit skit when it came to bestiality.
8-LOL
15-ditto
33-I didnt know he was gay either. But then again, I didnt know Prof. Eldridge was gay (I just thought it was a charming southern mannerism) until he said "you know, my partner is a republican..." I certainly do have a gaydar w/r/t young men but the older ones slip right by me. I guess thats because only young guys being gay affects me (slims down the pool).
He was gay?!
His BarBri lectures were great. Sorry to hear this.
Seemed like a great guy. Certainly helped me remember criminal law. RIP.
I was privileged to have Professor Whitebread for both Gifts, Wills and Trusts and Crim Pro. His classes were one of the highlights of my legal education. Prof. Whitebread was a truly outstanding man who will be greatly missed. My deepest condolences to his family.
Brilliant man. He taught me more in those 2 or 3 Bar Bri days than I did in Crim Law/Crim Proc. I am very sad. He couldn't have been that old. Does anybody know what happened?
Charlie Whitebread rocked my world. RIP.
Brilliant man. He taught me more in those 2 or 3 Bar Bri days than I learned in Crim Law/Crim Proc. I am very sad. He couldn't have been that old. Does anybody know what happened?
37 - I learned the elements of kidnapping for the very first time from professor Whitebread in San Francisco at BarBri (my professor thought it wasn't worth teaching). As far as I am concerned the elements are as stated by 29 & 30 --- (1) a kid (2) a napping.
I have never had the use for such legal information and I hope to keep it that way. As such the humor is all that I am left with - snif snif
... that and a disturbing image of professor whitebread hopping up and down on the barbri stage as a dolphin along the don't love 'em, don't hate 'em, they don't love you" joke discussed in 7 & 11
59: Lung cancer, unfortunately. He was diagnosed in early May, I believe.
He wrote an excellent book on the history of drug laws in america. Worth a read, but his lecture on it was priceless.
I was fortunate enough to have had Professor Whitebread not only for BarBri, but also at USC. Nothing can get me out of bed early in the morning, especially not an 8am law school class, but I always woke up for his classes. He really was the best.
NOW FOLKS...DON'T LOVE'EM DON'T HATE'EM...DON'T FALL IN LOVE WITH THESE ANIMALS.
i still have that line firmly implanted in my head nearly four years after taking barbri. was the only interesting lecture.
NOW FOLKS...DON'T LOVE'EM DON'T HATE'EM...DON'T FALL IN LOVE WITH THESE ANIMALS.
i still have that line firmly implanted in my head nearly four years after taking barbri. was the only interesting lecture.
Prof. Whitebread was one of the best profs at USC - brilliant, but he always had time for his students. He even made Gifts Wills and Trusts so entertaining that you didn't notice you were learning. And nobody who saw one of them could ever forget his performances in his bright orange tiger-striped tuxedo jacket at the PILF auction. He will be missed.
Prof. Whitebread was one of the best profs at USC - brilliant, but he always had time for his students. He even made Gifts Wills and Trusts so entertaining that you didn't notice you were learning. And nobody who saw one of them could ever forget his performances in his bright orange tiger-striped tuxedo jacket at the PILF auction. He will be missed.
The annual Libel Show at UVA in 1999 (I think) did a tremendous parody video of a GAP clothing ad, with a series of Charlie Whitebread clones dancing around to the song "It's Raining Men." The ad concluded with a fake gap Logo that said simply "Khakis. Gay." It got the biggest laugh of the night, including from Charlie Whitebread who, as a visiting professor, was in the audience with both of his "life partners." To this day, whenever I hear that song, I think of Prof. Whitebread.
RIP, funny man.
Great lectures on BarBri. Straight woman here says I just *knew* he was sooooooo gay (just listen to his voice without looking at him); thanks for confirming!
I can say that Prof. Whitebread's tips on taking law school exams got me through some anxious times. Thanks. RIP.
Oh, professor Whitebread. Oh, professor Whitebread. RIP.
47 - completely agree.
Professor Whitebread was truly a lovely human being. Everything he did demonstrated that he truly cared about the people around him -- including the law students who flitted into his life for such brief periods of time. May he rest in peace.
Whitebread singlehandedly made law school and then bar/bri bearable.
The utter sincerity of this comment thread is probably the most moving tribute that could be made to Professor Whitebread. RIP.
Best quote: "Don't worry about crimes against nature showing up on the exam. Why? Because its DISGUSTING. Can you imagine a bunch of bar examiners trying to write a question with a little bouncing bunny and along came..."
Any former student or colleague who could speak briefly (or write an email) about Prof Whitebread, please email me at amanda_becker@dailyjournal.com. I'm working on his obituary.
Any former student or colleague who could speak briefly (or write an email) about Prof Whitebread, please email me at amanda_becker@dailyjournal.com. I'm working on his obituary.
" D and V are playing Russian Roulette. V points the gun at D's head. Nope that's not it.
D points the gun at V's head. Now we're getting somewhere!"
The other lines have been said or I can't recall. Thanks for brightening up a bleak time.
This was a true giant of law school professors--and one who really connected with students.
70: What do you mean "both of his 'life partners'". Not that it's a big deal or anything, but how could he have two life partners?
Prof Whitebread made BarBri fun, if that's actually possible. Here's to a man who had an incredible sense of humor and an intellect to match. RIP.
Had for crim. law Barbri prep. A great entertaining teacher.
I only had the honor of meeting Professor Whitebread once, after a study tips lecture at Hastings my 1L year. He was so incredibly funny and kind.
I was pleased to see him again in BAR/BRI Lectures, even if only on DVD. My most found memory of him is when he did an imitation of a bunny.
In my opinion, his charisma is up there with Chemerinsky's. He will be greatly missed.
81 -- 70 here. You can easily have a pair of life partners, so long as they are each ok with it. I suspect one is described above as his "life partner," and the other as his "devoted friend." I remember Prof. Whitebread himself commented on it in a really funny way at the time, but for the life of me I can't remember what he said and am not going to try to put words in his mouth.
They all seemed delightfully happy together, so my view is good on them for finding happiness, in whatever configuration, in a world otherwise full of lots of unhappiness.
Wow. So basically he was survived by a husband and a boyfriend both. Kind of fascinating that made it into the announcement. Can you imagine if obits regularly started noting other women, mistresses and boytoys??
His lectures for Barbri were great. They're going to have a tough tough time finding a replacement.
"They all seemed delightfully happy together, so my view is good on them for finding happiness, in whatever configuration, in a world otherwise full of lots of unhappiness."
Well said 85; RIP Charlie, you will be missed!
86 - Well, there is a difference between polyamory and a secret lover. You don't want surprises in obits, but obviously, they were all in on it together.
Charlie was a great guy and a super professor. I loved his T&E class at 'SC, where he took pains to tell us how about how one went about transferring one's assets to one's "pals" (quotations marks intentional). Rest in peace....
Professor Whitebread was my favorite professor at USC Law, hands down. My prayers go out to his partner and friends.
RIP, Mr. Whitebread. You will be missed.
Why does USC's web site have absolutely no mention of Prof. Whitehead's death? Other than Chemerinsky in the past, this man was USC Law School and he deserves proper recognition. Shame on them.
They also still have him on the faculty profiles section of their web site. How disrespectful.
I had Charlie Whitebread for Wills & Trusts when I attended USC Law School. He was excellent! I'll never forget how on the very first day of class he said, in that wonderful voice of his: "There are only two things (pause) you need to know (pause) in this class. (pause) Death! (longer pause) And greeeeed!" May he rest in peace, and a pox on those at USC for not recognizing him.
Charlie Whitebread rocked my world. RIP.
Charlie Whitebread rocked my world. RIP.
BarBri owes him a note on its website too. There was no better professor for getting us through those morning lectures. RIP.
Keep this at the top of ATL's front page, please. RIP.
I had him for Crim Law last semester at USC. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to take one of his classes.
For those who are mad that they don't have him on the USC website - they *just* emailed the students and alumni. Give them some time to create a proper tribute.
Seriously...damn USC for taking time to react to the passing of one of it's greatest law professors before updating its website.
How incredibly selfish of them to think of their own suffering and not rush to immediately post the news in a hastily written announcement. They're probably "taking time to formulate their thoughts," and "making sure their tribute is appropriate."
Screw them and their selfish motives. How dare they privately react to their loss and not think of how the public (read: fucking morons on ATL) will react to their delay.
Well said #77, I was trying to remember how he addressed that.
In addition to being a great lecturer, Prof. Whitebread also wrote some early and widely cited work on the rather sketchy legislative history behind American marijuana prohibition. See http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/studies/vlr/vlrtoc.htm and http://www.drugpolicy.org/library/bookstore/1891385062.cfm
I had a "Whitebread moment" minutes before the PA bar. Kid next to me says he did not take Bar/Bri. He then asks about the format of the test. Totally relaxed me.
I don't know that he WAS USC, but he was certainly an important, visible member of the faculty. This happened very suddenly (though it was an inevitability), and it seems as though the law school is handling responsibly - and focusing on more important things, like setting up a scholarship fund in his name and putting on a memorial.
I don't know that he WAS USC, but he was certainly an important, visible member of the faculty. This happened very suddenly (though it was an inevitability), and it seems as though the law school is handling responsibly - and focusing on more important things, like setting up a scholarship fund in his name and putting on a memorial.
whitebread was hot. How hot? Very hot.
Anyone think he was so eccentric because he spent his entire life trying to overcome the name "Whitebread."
85--
I don't understand this "Life Partner" thing. Like business partner?
Sincerely,
Sarah Palin
Thank you everyone for your kind words and thoughts - His fight with cancer was short and we will miss him everyday.
Thank you, a family member
Prof. Whitbread used to come and give a guest lecture to the 1Ls at U MN Law (at least he did for my three years there), his lecture and book on exam taking (copies of which were given out gratis) were the best study tools I could have asked for. I also second all the posts on here about his BarBri lecture. RIP Prof. Whitebread.
Shut up, 108.
Charlie Whitebread was a great guy, and the fact that so many remember him so fondly is evidence of this fact. RIP.
Professor Whitebread's lectures on criminal law and procedure were, by far, the best of the BarBri series. I thought his take on why the common law of crimes was tested on the MBE helped put the bar exam into the right perspective: because the common law of crimes (unmodified) is the law in exactly zero jurisdictions, it is perfect subject matter for testing on the multistate. Although that statement just about summed up the relationship between taking the bar exam and the practice of law, he made it clear it didn't do any good to complain. Just pass the test and be done with it.
scholarship fund in memoriam at usc? I'd donate to it. Whitebread made me not hate life during the bar exam. Raising a glass to you tonight, Charlie.
How unbelievably sad. I had the privilege of seeing him lecture live for BarBri before the July 2007 Bar Exam. I feel for those poor future bar takers who will not have the Charlie Whitebread experience. He simply cannot be replaced. Good luck BarBri - they'll need it to find another dynamic lecturer who can attempt to fill Professor Whitebread's shoes.
BarBri really should post some of his highlights on YouTube. Particularly the bestiality routine.
I felt more affection for the man after just a day of BAR/BRI than I felt for pretty much any of my law school professors after a full semester class. This news is really sad.
Had the pleasure of his lectures for Bar/Bri crim. Very funny, very good, very sorry to lose him. God bless.
"Folks, if you do not understand that a gun with one bullet in it is a deadly weapon, you will have trouble on the bar exam. You will have trouble in life. You will not own a home".
What a great man. RIP, Professor.
His other classic one was about his mother being so sad at the passing of Miranda (of Miranda rights fame). Miranda died in some type of bar room brawl. She thought it was so sad after all he had done to fight for our rights. ( :
A credit to Charlie, 119 posts and not a single bad comment. As a former student and friend, he will be missed. I hope BarBri doesn't replace, but simply show his lecture by video. He was that good. And an even better human being.
USC posted. There is even a link to contribute towards a scholarship. Please contribute.
http://law.usc.edu/news/article.cfm?newsID=3117
What does it matter whether he was gay or straight? What does it matter by whom he was survived?
He was our teacher, and he will be sorely missed.
The world is now a substantially less interesting place and we are the sadder for it.
Hopefully our law school deans today will see that teaching matters ....
a lot.
I was in tapeland, and he was still amazing. A true loss. RIP Prof. Whitebread.
Professor Whitebread was a singularly wonderful man. Even as he was beginning his treatment, he still insisted on offering his help and advice to a newly minted USC graduate. me.
I wish I knew him better.
He will be missed.
In addition to the scholarship, I think it would be fitting if USC had a chair endowed in his honor ("Charles Whitebread Professor of Law") to the faculty member who best exemplifies excellence in teaching.
"The boys played Russian Roulette . . . The chances were 5 to 1. For those of you who thought it would be 6 to 1, that's why you're here and not medical school." A true legend.
I watched his videos at BarBri in NY almost 10 years ago and remember them well. He was an outstanding educator. Thanks Prof.
His bunny bestiality bit had me laughing so hard I cried - Bar/Bri was all downhill after Prof. Whitebread. And it really was true that you only had to know the stuff that he taught us - that's one of the few parts of the summer learning that I can still remember quite clearly. You will be missed Prof. Whitebread!
Another tapeland testimonial here -- I just took BarBri this summer, and LOVED Prof. Whitebread's lectures. He managed to be both hilarious and really clear, which was a rare combination among our instructors. He was a fantastic teacher, and future BarBri takers will really be missing something great.
He was a great man and a great teacher. RIP.
Whitebread was awesome, no doubt about it. Rest in Peace sir, you deserve it.
Charlie was unique in so many ways. Most folks commenting here know of his gift and passion for teaching (whether live or on tape). He was the brightest and funniest beyond compare. His humor and intelligence made the intellectual content of his law school and bar exam classes accessible (and memorable) to everyone.
His intro lines to Criminal Law reminding everyone present to be sure that "when that big green door slams shut, make sure that you are on the outside! were a perennial favorite that conveyed in his own fashion the immediate and sobering facts of incarceration. You could laugh, but it was also serious. What a gift.
In addition to teaching law school and lecturing on the bar review circuit, Charlie also lectured for decades to judges at various state and regional judicial conferences.
He also had a passion about protecting youth at risk. His unwavering decade-long commitment to the Jeff Griffith Center in West Hollywood is a testament to the measure of his conviction. For although Charlie was a man of many remarkable words, his deeds spoke even greater volumes about his character.
He was a truly wonderful human whose passing should remind us all of the duty we have to live every day like we mean it and to have the courage to bring our own energy to effecting change and protecting the rights of others.
He gave a guest lecture at my law school. Funny guy. RIP.
I had the pleasure of taking professor whitebreads courses and doing independent research with him. he was hands down the best professor that i had in law school. he was extremely kind and understood students like no other professor. he will be very missed.
I only had the pleasure of watching Professor Whitebread onscreen but he was number one in my BarBri summer box office. I agree with 120.
His lectures are worth watching for entertainment value alone. 118's quote is classic. A smart, witty and funny man.
My deepest sympathies to his loved ones. Rest in peace Professor Whitebread.
A bright spot in BarBri and in real life. Glad I had the chance to learn from him.