Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Friedman received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1916 and a Bachelor of Laws from UC Berkeley School of Law in 1920.
[1] Friedman received a recess appointment from President Harry S. Truman on July 17, 1952, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of California vacated by Judge Herbert Wilson Erskine.
His nomination was withdrawn by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on July 24, 1953.
His service terminated on August 3, 1953, after his nomination was not confirmed by the United States Senate, with the sine die adjournment of the First Session of the 83rd United States Congress.
He was Chairman of the Hearing Board of the Bay Area Air Pollution District from 1957 to 1959.