Philip Toelkes
American lawyer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Philip John Toelkes, also known as Swami Prem Niren and Philip Niren Toelkes,[1] is an American lawyer and follower of Rajneesh who served as the second mayor of Rajneeshpuram from 1985 until the commune's disbandment in 1986.[2] He also served as the personal lawyer of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh.
Philip Toelkes | |
|---|---|
University yearbook portrait, 1967 | |
| 2nd Mayor of Rajneeshpuram | |
| In office 1985–1986 | |
| Leader | Rajneesh |
| Preceded by | David Berry Knapp |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Philip John Toelkes Tigard, Oregon, U.S. |
| Education | University of San Francisco (BA, JD) |
| Website | nirentoelkes |
Early life and education
Toelkes was born in Tigard, Oregon and raised Catholic.[3] He earned an undergraduate degree from the University of San Francisco and a Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco School of Law.[4]
Career
Toelkes began his career as an attorney in Los Angeles, working with the Manatt Law Firm which was, at the time, the fastest-growing law firm in the U.S.[5] After traveling to Pune and meeting with Rajneesh, he left his job and relocated to the newly established Rajneeshpuram commune in Wasco County, Oregon.[6] From 1981 to 1990, Toelkes served as Rajneesh's personal attorney, until Rajneesh's death.[7]
Toelkes was the director of the Rajneesh Legal Services Corporation[4] and later became the mayor of Rajneeshpuram, succeeding Krishna Deva. After his first marriage ended, he remarried Ma Prem Isabel, who was the director of public relations for Rajneeshpuram.[4] No legal charges were ever filed against Toelkes, he continues to practice law, and remains loyal to Osho.[4]
He is featured in Wild Wild Country, a Netflix documentary series about the controversial Indian guru,[8][9] and he has written an account of the legal aspects of the cases against Osho and Rajneeshpuram brought by the U.S. Government.[10]