Jim Preis dies, activist fought for rights of mentally ill

LOS ANGELES — Jim Preis, a Southern California lawyer and activist who for fought for the rights of the mentally ill and disabled for decades, has died, according to a news report.

Preis died Friday at age 66, the Los Angeles Times reported, quoting his daughter, Annie Preis. No cause was given, but Preis had been diagnosed with bladder cancer, the newspaper said.

As head of the Los Angeles-based nonprofit Mental Health Advocacy Services for 40 years, Preis defended the rights of the mentally ill in court. He co-wrote the textbook "The Essentials of California Mental Health Law" and lectured on the topic.

Preis was driven by his belief that everyone "should be fighting for people who need advocates," his daughter told the Times.

Preis began paying attention to the mentally ill in the late 1970s when it was unpopular to do so, according to the Times. He and colleague Sherrill Martin developed a system that made it easier for the mentally ill to receive disability benefits. It was eventually adopted by Los Angeles County.

Dora Leong Gallo, head of A Community of Friends — an organization that helps provide housing to homeless people with mental disabilities — said many looked to Preis when making tough decisions. Preis served as a board member with the organization and advocated for adding seats on the board for tenants with mental illness.

"We looked to Jim for things like that — reminding us of the value of people, the dignity of people," Gallo said.

Living his entire life in California allowed Preis to maintain one odd habit: He almost exclusively wore flipflops.

Annie Preis told the Times her father got the idea when students from Hawaii visited his Los Angeles elementary school and said they wore sandals everywhere. Her father decided to wear flip-flops whenever he could. He put on shoes to go to court, though not always.

"He was sworn into federal court once when he was still in flip-flops. He was very proud of that," said his son, John Preis.

Preis is survived by his two children and his wife, Debbie Vodhanel.