Page 14 - OWLS AdvanceSheet Winter 2017

The Investiture of U.S. Magistrate Judge Jolie A. Russo

By Hon. Stacie Beckerman

any OWLS members were in at-
tendance to witness the formal
Minvestiture of U.S. Magistrate
Judge Jolie A. Russo on October 21, 2016,
at the Wayne L. Morse U.S. Courthouse
in Eugene.
Judge Russo was appointed to and as- At left: Magistrate Judge Jolie A. Russo,
sumed the federal bench on February 25, Chief Judge Michael W. Mosman. Below,
2016, following 28 years of service to from left: Judge Marco A. Hernández,
the U.S. District Court for the District of Magistrate Judge Jolie A. Russo,
Oregon, first as a staff attorney to the Chief Judge Michael W. Mosman,
Magistrate Judge Stacie Beckerman,
Honorable James Redden, and later as Magistrate Judge Youlee Yim You
a senior staff attorney to the Honorable
Ann Aiken. Judge Russo has also served
as an adjunct law professor at the Uni-
versity of Oregon School of Law since
2004, and as an adjunct law professor at
Lewis & Clark Law School. Judge Russo
is an active community volunteer, and
has also served her legal community
on several boards, including those of
Oregon Women Lawyers, the Federal Bar Photos: Chad Tucker
Association, and the Multnomah County
Bar Association. She earned her JD from
Lewis & Clark Law School.
Judge Russo is the fourth woman to beautiful arrangement of “Imagine,” by honoring Magistrate Judge Thomas
serve as a U.S. magistrate judge in the John Lennon. Coffin, whose seat on the bench she fills,
District of Oregon, following Magistrate OWLS member Danielle Hunsaker, a and District Judge Ann Aiken, with whom
Judges Janice Stewart, Patricia Sullivan, partner at Larkins Vacura Kayser, then Judge Russo worked for many years.
and Stacie Beckerman. Magistrate Judge spoke about Judge Russo’s professional- Following the courtroom ceremony,
Youlee Yim You assumed the bench a ism and friendship. OWLS board member guests celebrated Judge Russo at a lively
few days after Judge Russo. They are the Susan Pitchford, a partner at Chernoff courthouse reception.
seventh and eighth women to serve on Vilhauer, assembled a group of lawyers Judge Russo, along with her newest
the U.S. District Court for Oregon since from the federal bar who rose up from colleagues, Judges You and Beckerman,
1859, following U.S. District Judges Helen the audience and each handed Judge benefited from the helpful guidance they
Frye, Ann Aiken, and Anna J. Brown, in Russo a flower while reciting lyrics from received from the OWLS Judicial Work
addition to the other U.S. magistrate “Forever Young.” Group during the judicial appointment
judges. In addition, three women have Chief Judge Mosman administered the process.
served on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for oath of office, and Judge Russo’s sons,
the District of Oregon since 1978: Judge Max and Nico, performed the enrobing U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie Beckerman
Polly S. Higdon, Judge Elizabeth L. Perris, honors, as Judge Russo’s partner, Lynn is the immediate past president of
and current Chief Bankruptcy Judge Trish Barkley, beamed from the front row. Queen’s Bench, the OWLS chapter in
Brown. Judge Susan Graber is the only Judge Russo made inspiring remarks, Multnomah County.
woman judge from Oregon to serve on
the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Need help with a big case? Want to take a vacation?
At the formal investiture ceremony, Contact the OWLS Contract Lawyer Service. We can help!
Paul Bruch, Judge Russo’s courtroom
deputy, opened court, and Chief Judge
Michael W. Mosman welcomed Judge Contact us with project/job information.
Russo’s many friends, colleagues, and We immediately post the announcement to our
family members in attendance. In honor contract lawyer listserve. You are promptly contacted
of Judge Russo’s many years of mento- by contract lawyers who meet your criteria. No fee to
ring law students and young lawyers, a post jobs or projects. You pay the contract lawyer you
distinguished group of lawyers whom hire. OWLS contract lawyers are statewide.
Judge Russo has trained over the years Many levels of experience. Many types of expertise.
spoke in her honor: David Higgs, Rachel
Rose, and David Svelund. Following For more information or to post a job, contact
their remarks, Divisi, the University of
Oregon’s a cappella choir, performed a Diane Rynerson: 503.841.5720 or diane@oregonwomenlawyers.org

OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 14 WINTER 2017