Brandeis, Louis Dembitz, BRAN dys, LOO ihs DEHM bihts (1856-1941), was an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1916 to 1939. He became known for his struggle for economic, social, and political justice. He joined Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., in writing numerous opinions, many of them powerful dissents (disagreements with the court's majority). These opinions supported social legislation, free speech, and the right to privacy. Brandeis also became known for his belief that the Supreme Court should not decide on legal issues that can be resolved by Congress.