Page 13 - OWLS AdvanceSheet Spring 2017

Meet Deschutes County Circuit Court Judge Bethany Flint

By Danielle Lordi
eschutes County’s newest judge, because the county is operating at a
the Honorable Bethany Flint, was 2.5-judge deficit, the work volume can
Dappointed to the bench by Gover- be crushing. In addition, as a new judge,
nor Kate Brown in February 2016, as one Flint has had to learn the court’s business
of seven circuit court judges for the 11th and administrative processes.
Judicial District, comprising Deschutes Pleasantly surprised by how much she
County. After running for and securing enjoys jury trials, Judge Flint says that
her position in the November 2016 elec- “working with and watching juries is a
tion, she has just begun a six-year term. fascinating window into how the public
Judge Flint, an OWLS member, grew up perceives and analyzes the legal system.”
in Tucson, Arizona, and moved to Califor- She also particularly enjoys presiding
nia when she was 19. Before deciding to over family law cases and working with
return to college, she worked in various families to find a path to restructuring.
jobs, including elementary after-school Flint first became interested in the
resource programs. She obtained her bench when she attended a judicial local Inns of Court. She said that OWLS
undergraduate degree from the Uni- candidate debate and realized, for the helped her connect with women in the
versity of California–Irvine, magna cum first time, that she wanted to answer legal profession at a time when she was
laude, majoring in English, and in 2003 the questions posed to the candidates feeling overwhelmed with running a solo
she graduated from the Whittier College and was passionate about her answers. law office while raising her daughters.
School of Law in Southern California. She sought the advice of two judges she OWLS helped her to hear and know
During law school, Flint was admit- admired: Deschutes County Presiding that other women faced the same issues
ted as a fellow to the school’s Center Judge Alta J. Brady, also a long-time she did.
for Children’s Rights (now known as OWLS member, and now-retired Judge Judge Flint offers the following advice
the Center for Children and Families) Michael Sullivan. to young women lawyers:
and participated in externships with According to Judge Flint, Judge Brady I encourage women to imagine—
the local public defender’s office and explained that “being a trial court judge imagine what it would look like to
the presiding judge of the Los Angeles is working in the trenches with the public be in the roles that you think will
Juvenile Court. She also clerked for the and our communities. It is navigating never be open to you. Practice law
late Judge Florence-Marie Cooper of the the emotion, tragedy, and pure admin- the way you want to practice law.
U.S. District Court for the Central District istration of the law every day—being Be true to your ethics and personal
of California, who had previously worked an extreme multi-tasker—and knowing belief systems, and make the practice
as shorthand secretary, and whom Judge you can’t always get it right.” As a new conform to your standards, not the
Flint described as “remarkable.” judge, Flint relies daily on Judge Brady’s other way around. Others may try
According to Judge Flint, even in 2002, mentorship. “If I could grow up to be to make you feel like an imposter
her second year in law school, when Judge Alta J. Brady,” Judge Flint said, “I or to embarrass you. Just remember
women constituted 49% of law school would be very proud, indeed.” that you belong where you are. You
students nationwide, she felt extreme Active in the Deschutes County legal deserve to be at the table. Your voice
pressure to continue full-time enrollment community, Judge Flint recently helped belongs in the room.
despite giving birth to her first daughter form the Family Law Section of the
that March. (Shortly thereafter, she scored Deschutes County Bar Association, to Danielle Lordi is a civil litigation and trial
the highest grade on the Con Law final.) encourage the local family law bar to attorney with Bryant, Lovlien & Jarvis in
Part-time enrollment was not an option develop ties and common standards of Bend. She is the past president and a cur-
if you wanted to be a serious contender practice. She also regularly attends the rent member of Cascade Women Lawyers.
in the job market.
Before becoming a circuit court judge, Need help with a big case? Want to take a vacation?
Flint worked as a solo practitioner in Contact the OWLS Contract Lawyer Service. We can help!
collaborative law and as a mediator in
domestic relations cases, a Bend Munici-
pal Court judge, and a Deschutes County Contact us with project/job information.
Juvenile Court referee. These last two We immediately post the announcement to our
experiences helped her learn more about contract lawyer listserve. You are promptly contacted
what serving as a judge was like. by contract lawyers who meet your criteria. No fee to
Judge Flint has found her first year on post jobs or projects. You pay the contract lawyer you
the Deschutes County Circuit Court to be hire. OWLS contract lawyers are statewide.
both incredibly challenging and fulfilling. Many levels of experience. Many types of expertise.
Each judge in Deschutes County presides
over all types of cases, necessitating For more information or to post a job, contact
the quick development of substantive Diane Rynerson: 503.841.5720 or diane@oregonwomenlawyers.org
knowledge in all areas of the law. And

OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 13 SPRING 2017