Abner Joseph Mikva (January 21, 1926 – July 4, 2016) was an American politician, federal judge, and legal scholar.

After serving in the Illinois House of Representatives, Mikva ran for congress in 1966 but lost the primary to incumbent congressman Barrett O'Hara.

He was one of the few people in modern times to serve in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the Federal government.

[6] He also returned to Chicago and began practicing law, at a firm which became Goldberg, Devoe, Shadur & Mikva after he made partner.

The firm handles labor, real estate, commercial and civil rights cases, as well as some criminal defense.

[8] He was defeated for reelection in 1966, but "reinvented himself" as a community activist, winning election to the United States Congress in 1968.

[9] In the Illinois House, Mikva was part of the "Kosher Nostra", a group of independent, clean Democrats that included future United States Senator and Presidential candidate Paul Simon, future Illinois Comptroller and candidate for Governor Dawn Clark Netsch, and Representative Anthony Scariano.

[11] When he defeated Republican State Representative John Porter by 650 votes in 1978, he joked to supporters that he had "won by a landslide."

Mikva was nominated by President Jimmy Carter on May 29, 1979, to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, to a new seat authorized by 92 Stat.

[16] His service terminated on September 19, 1994, due to retirement, after which he became White House Counsel to President Bill Clinton.

Mikva's most controversial decisions struck down the Pentagon ban against gay people serving in the U.S. military (overturned on appeal by the circuit sitting en banc, but the ban was ultimately overturned by Executive Order), and - in 1982 - upheld regulation of air bags in automobiles.

[2] He then returned to the University of Chicago Law School, serving as the Schwarz Lecturer and the senior director of the Mandel Legal Aid Clinic.

[25] Mikva Challenge is a non-profit, non-partisan organization whose mission is to develop youth to be informed, empowered, and active citizens and community leaders who will promote a just and equitable society.

[27] The organization helps youth to expand their political desire by working as election judges, volunteering on campaigns, advising city officials, and creating local activism projects to improve their schools and communities.

[27] Mikva died under hospice care in Chicago, Illinois, from complications of bladder cancer on July 4, 2016, aged 90.

[30] Mikva's congressional and judicial papers are archived at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois.