Clifford Sweet

Clifford Charles Sweet of Berkeley, CA Aug. 3rd 1936 to Oct. 3rd 2010 Clifford was born the youngest of nine children to George and Ruth Sweet in Jupiter, FL. Clifford moved to San Jose, CA to live with his two brothers, Wester and Jim where he enrolled in San Jose City College in 1957. He went on to graduate from San Jose State with a degree in political science. At the time, the civil rights movement and civic responsibility inspired him to pursue a career in law. He then earned his JD in 1963 from Lincoln Law School. Clifford is most known by family, friends and members of the community for his work through Legal Aid Society of Alameda County (LASAC). In 1971, four years after accepting a job with the organization, Clifford was named Executive Attorney and remained so until his retirement in 1998. At LASAC, he guided significant litigation against unfair bank lending practices (Redlining), bolstered minority hiring among Oakland police officers and fire fighters, and defended low income tenants throughout Alameda County, among other meaningful rulings. Twice, Clifford argued cases, and had judgments affirmed, in front of the California Supreme Court. Clifford is survived by his brother Jim, sister Dorothy, sons Julian and Bret and numerous nieces and nephews. The memorial service will be held October 24th 10am-2pm, at the Claremont Hotel, Sonoma Room, 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley CA 94705. Please RSVP ForeverClifford@gmail.com or 520-548-4107.