Jerome Zeifman papers
Collection Scope and Content
This collection contains materials collected by Jerome Ziefman (1925-2010) in the course of his work as counsel and later chief counsel to the Committee on the Judiciary of the United States House of Representatives. The material dates from 1960-1977 and contains reports, memoranda, correspondence, notes, legal documents, government documents, publications, clippings, and audio recordings.
The collection contains Zeifman’s personal diary, correspondence, and notes as well as documents compiled, produced, and used by the Committee on the Judiciary. The collection deals primarily with issues related to the Watergate Scandal, the resignation of Spiro Agnew, the impeachment of President Nixon, the confirmation of Gerald Ford as President, the confirmation of Nelson Rockefeller as Vice President, and the pardoning of Richard Nixon by Gerald Ford. The materials also reflect the inner workings of the Judiciary Committee and contains information about the employment of other Committee staff who later rose to national prominence, including Hillary Rodham Clinton, Bernard Nussbaum, John Doar, and William Weld.
Documents produced and compiled by Zeifman during his employment as Counsel and Chief Counsel for the Judiciary Committee reflect his working relationship with other staff members of the Judiciary Committee staff, members of Congress, and other Congressional staffers. Zeifman’s work with Congressman Peter Rodino is especially well documented. Also documented are interactions between the Judiciary Committee and President Nixon's staff, Nixon's legal counsel, and other executive branch employees.
Dates
- 1960-1977
Creator
- Zeifman, Jerome M. (Person)
Restrictions on Access
Regarding use of the diaries and recordings found in series 1, researchers are allowed to use the diaries and recordings, but may not make reproductions, publish, or even quote from the diaries or recordings without written permission of the donor or his heirs and assigns. When requesting the diaries or recordings to use for research, please ask the SCRC staff to provide a copy of the Restricted Use Agreement for you to sign. You must sign this form before gaining access to the diaries and recordings.
Staff alert: Here is the Restricted Use Agreement to share with researchers
Restrictions on Use
Regarding use of the diaries and recordings found in series 1, researchers are allowed to use the diaries and recordings, but may not make reproductions, publish, or quote from the diaries and recordings. Researchers are prohibited from making photographs or photocopies of these materials. Please refer to the conditions governing access note for more information about accessing the diaries and recordings.
Historical or Biographical Note
Jerome M. Zeifman (1925-2010) was born in Mineola, New York. He attended Harvard University and received a law degree from New York University. During World War II he served as a naval communications officer. Zeifman operated a private law practice in Nyack, New York prior to working for the Committee on the Judiciary of the United States House of Representatives.
Zeifman served as counsel (1961-1973) and general counsel (1973-74) to the Judiciary Committee. Initially Zeifman was hired to advise the Judiciary Committee on interstate taxation. Zeifman worked closely with Peter W. Rodino and was involved with Rodino’s work on policy related to substance abuse and drug use. As general counsel Zeifman was involved with the Committee’s work related to Watergate, the impeachment of Richard Nixon, and the confirmations of Gerald Ford and Nelson Rockefeller. Zeifman retired from the Committee staff in 1974 to teach law at the University of Santa Clara.
Extent
7.5 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection contains materials collected by Jerome Ziefman (1925-2010) in the course of his work as counsel and later chief counsel to the Committee on the Judiciary of the United States House of Representatives. The material dates from 1960-1977 and contains reports, memoranda, correspondence, notes, legal documents, government documents, publications, clippings, and audio recordings.
Collection Organization
The records are arranged in three series: Personal Papers, Historical file, and Stenographic minutes.
Arrangement reflects the original order maintained by Jerome Zeifman when possible. Files are often broad groupings of documents that reflect usage by Zeifman and the Judiciary Committee during a certain period of time.
Acquisition Information
The collection was donated by Jerome Zeifman in 1999 and 2000.
Processing Information
Approximately 14 LF of material was weeded from this collection in 2022. These materials were government reports (10 LF) and news clippings (4 LF). The government reports, described as "Statements of Information" were reports produced for hearings of the Judiciary Committee. Copies of these reports may be accessed via government document centers or online databases.
The news clippings, likely collected by Zeifman, documented almost every day from November 1973 until August 1974. These clippings were from popular publications such as the New York Times and Washington Post. Copies of these articles are similarly accessible online.
- Audiotapes Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Diaries Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Ford, Gerald R. (1913-2006)
- Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous)
- Rodino, Peter W., Jr., 1909-2005
- Trials (Impeachment) -- United States Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States -- Politics and government -- 1969-1974 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States. Congress. House. Committee on the Judiciary
- Watergate Affair, 1972-1974 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Watergate Affair, 1972-1974 -- Personal Narrative Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Zeifman, Jerome M.
- Title
- Guide to the Jerome Zeifman papers, 1960-1977
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
- Date
- 2006
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository
