Charles Alexander Legge

1930 - 2023

Charles Alexander Legge
August 24, 1930 - December 8, 2023
The Honorable Charles A. Legge passed away peacefully at his home on December 8, 2023 surrounded by his loving wife of 71 years and his three children. He was 93.
Born in 1930 in San Francisco, Chuck lived his entire life in the Bay Area. He graduated from Piedmont High in 1948. He attended Stanford University graduating with an A.B. in 1952 and a J.D. in 1954. He was an editor of the Stanford Law Review.
In 1948, Chuck met his forever love Janice while traveling with their families to Hawaii aboard the Lurline. Chuck and Janice married four years later in 1952. The joined families became lifelong friends sharing holidays, family birthdays and travels.
The day after sitting for the California Bar Exam in 1954, Chuck reported to Fort Ord in Monterey. He served in the Army's Counter-Intelligence Corp until 1956.
Chuck then joined the San Francisco law firm Bronson, Bronson & McKinnon where he was an accomplished trial lawyer for over 30 years and served as the firm's managing partner. Chuck argued before the U.S. Supreme Court and was elected a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1980.
In 1984, President Reagan appointed Chuck to be a judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Chuck said serving as a judge was "the best job in the world." He was well respected by lawyers appearing before him who described him as exceptionally bright and extraordinarily fair. Chuck adored working with and mentoring his law clerks, interns and court staff. He handled many important cases and worked tirelessly to resolve his busy docket. Chuck was honored to perform numerous marriages and U.S. citizenship swearing-in ceremonies. He and Janice enjoyed visiting the White House at the invitations of Presidents Clinton and Bush. Chuck was a devoted public servant for over 17 years until his retirement from the bench in 2001.
Chuck then joined JAMS in San Francisco and was a sought after mediator and arbitrator until his retirement in 2013. He was named among the top ten most popular arbitrators in the Bay Area. Upon his retirement form JAMS, Chuck served the public again as a grand juror for the Superior Court of Contra Costa County.
Chuck and Janice were season ticket holders to the San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco Opera. He was a longtime member of the Bohemian Club and of Thalia Camp. He was an avid reader (and sometimes writer) of poetry and prose. He enjoyed gardening, tennis, sailing and visiting Lake Tahoe, Pajaro Dunes and Sonoma. Chuck and Janice traveled the world together with family and friends, especially to Hawaii, where their love began. He adored being "puppy Daddy" to his dogs, with "Leo" by his side until the end.
Chuck was predeceased by his parents, Roy and Wilda Legge; and his sister, Barbara Scarborough (1935-2008). He will be forever missed by his loving wife Janice; his proud and grateful children, Jeff, Nancy and Laura, their families; and other extended family.