Lawyers Writing History: The Politics of the Past of the United Restitution Organisation (URO) from 1948 to the 1980s

This article explores the Geschichts- and Vergangenheitspolitik, or politics of past, United Restitution Office/Organisation (URO) in post-war years asks how it impacted on early historiography Holocaust. I demonstrate that URO leadership took a conscious decision to publicly downplay role its organisation German reparations maximise legal political clout behind closed doors. While this strategy was beneficial for many URO's clients, above all 1950s 1960s, self-marginalisation prevented from becoming significant voice public debates about moral guilt consequences 1970s 1980s. One reason development generational. The an enterprise driven by particular cohort German-Jewish lawyers whom provided opportunity personally ‘come terms’ with interruptions their pre-1933 careers persecution during Third Reich. In period, expertise as well intimate knowledge language customs allowed them act transnational citizen diplomats, successfully mediating between different parties interest groups, governments non-governmental lobby groups. For most these Jewish jurists, practical experience peers, politicians administrators Wiedergutmachung led increasing scepticism ultimately disappointment – despite undisputedly impressive results they obtained clients.