Dwight Darwin Opperman (June 26, 1923 – June 13, 2013) was an American businessman and lawyer. He was known as CEO of West Publishing Company, and was known for establishing WestLaw. He was a member of the board of his alma mater, Drake University, and was the university's most generous benefactor.
Early life and education
Dwight Darwin Opperman was born on June 26, 1923 in Perry, Iowa. He also earned a second degree.
Career
After graduation, Opperman started working at West Publishing Company as an editor. After around ten years as an editor, he rose through the leadership ranks to become president in 1968 and then CEO. He remained in this position until West was acquired
During his time as CEO, the company moved into technology products, with the creation of the Westlaw legal database, an online research tool for legal professionals, researchers, and students worldwide.
His wife, Julie Chrystyn Opperman, donated two volumes of an extraordinarily rare 1478 edition of the Casus breves of Johannes de Turnhout (c. 1446–1492).
Opperman Foundation
Opperman founded the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation, a nonprofit with ties to the Supreme Court. Robert Newlen was head of the Opperman Foundation after retiring from his post as deputy Librarian of Congress in 2017. In 2024 the foundation chair was Julie Opperman. Philanthropist and activist Agnes Gund won the inaugural RBG Award, which was given in early 2020 by Ginsburg herself. Ginsburg died later in 2020. Other recipients of the award were: Queen Elizabeth II (2021); Belgian fashion designer Diane von Fürstenberg (2022); and singer Barbra Streisand (2023).
, the Dwight D Opperman Foundation website is "under revision".