THE U.S. DIstRICT COURT OF OREGON HIstORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLEttER Magistrate Judge Jolie A. Russo Eugene’s First Woman Magistrate By Hon. Stacie Beckerman n October 21, 2016, a crowd gathered at honoring Magistrate Judge Thomas Coffin, Othe Wayne L. Morse U.S. Courthouse in whose seat on the bench she fills, and District Eugene to welcome U.S. Magistrate Judge Jolie Judge Ann Aiken, with whom Judge Russo A. Russo to the District of Oregon federal bench worked for many years. Following the court- at her formal investiture ceremony. Paul Bruch, room ceremony, guests celebrated Judge Russo Judge Russo’s courtroom deputy, opened court, at a lively courthouse reception. and Chief Judge Michael W. Mosman welcomed Judge Russo was appointed to the federal Judge Russo’s many friends, colleagues, and fam- bench on February 25, 2016, following 28 years ily members in attendance. of service to the U.S. District Court, first as a In honor of her contributions in mentoring staff attorney to Judge James Redden, and later law students and young lawyers, a distinguished as a senior staff attorney to Judge Ann Aiken. group of lawyers whom Judge Russo has trained Judge Russo has served as an adjunct law pro- over the years spoke in her honor: David Higgs, fessor at the University of Oregon School of Rachel Rose, and David Svelund. Following their Law since 2004, and she has also served as an kind remarks, Divisi, the University of Oregon’s adjunct law professor at Lewis and Clark Law a cappella choir, performed a beautiful arrange- School. She is an active community volunteer ment of “Imagine” by John Lennon. and also serves her legal community on several Danielle Hunsaker, a partner at Larkins Vacura boards, including the Federal Bar Association, Kayser LLP who has served with Judge Russo Continue on page 2 on the Federal Bar Association board of directors for several Chad Tucker years, shared remarks about Judge Russo’s professionalism and friend- ship. Susan Pitchford, a partner at Chernoff Vilhauer LLP, assembled a group of lawyers from the federal bar who rose up from the audience and each handed Judge Russo a flower while reciting lyrics from Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young.” Chief Judge Mosman adminis- tered the oath of office, and Judge Russo’s sons, Max and Nico, per- formed the robing honors, as Judge Russo’s partner, Lynn Barkley, From left: Judge Marco Hernandez, Magistrate Judge Jolie beamed from the front row. Judge Russo, Chief Judge Michael Mosman, Magistrate Judges Stacie Beckerman and Youlee Yim You. Russo shared inspiring remarks, www.usdchs.org Fall 2016 1 President’s Message Judge Russo Oregon Women Lawyers, and the Happy New Year! Multnomah County Bar Association. She earned her JD from Lewis and I hope this newsletter finds you rested and restored after the Clark Law School. holidays, and with a renewed sense of purpose going into the Judge Russo is now part of a judi- new year. The USDCHS is excited to begin 2017 with its twin cial line whose predecessors include goals of preserving and celebrating history – through its Oral Judge Michael Hogan, Eugene’s first History Project, Famous Cases Program, and other initiatives U.S. Magistrate Judge (1973-91), who – as well as “making” history by bringing together our mem- then went onto serve as a U.S. Dis- bership and the community-at-large to create relationships trict Judge and Judge Thomas Coffin, and memories that will last into the future. who served in Eugene from 1992 until The USDCHS had a busy and successful year. In April, we participated he changed to recall status in 2016. in a ceremony to unveil the official portraits for retiring U.S. Magistrate Judge Russo is the only non-recall Judges Janice M. Stewart and Dennis J. Hubel. The event was held in the U.S. Magistrate Judge serving in the 16th-floor ceremonial courtroom at the Hatfield Courthouse and featured Eugene courthouse. She sits alongside speakers including Chief Judge Mosman, Magistrate Judge Jelderks, attor- U.S. District Judges Ann Aiken and ney Bill Gaylord, and the honored judges themselves. We were pleased for Michael McShane. the opportunity to honor two true public servants. Judge Russo is the fourth woman to In August, we celebrated attorneys who perform pro bono service at serve as a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the our Annual Picnic. As you surely know, Judge Leavy and his family host District of Oregon, following Magis- the Society’s summer event at their stunning property, a hop farm south trate Judges Janice Stewart, Patricia of town studded with tall trees, historic barns, and lots of hops. It was, as Sullivan, Stacie Beckerman, and You- always, a lovely event and we are forever thankful to the Leavy family for lee Yim You. She is just the seventh its many gifts to the Society. woman to serve on the U.S. District Finally, we capped off 2016 with our Annual Dinner in the Grand Ball- Court since 1859, following U.S. Dis- room at the Sentinel Hotel. At the dinner, we were honored to name Jewel trict Judges Helen Frye, Ann Aiken, and Ron Lansing as our Lifetime Service Award winners. We weren’t alone: and Anna J. Brown, in addition to Professor James Huffman, Governor Kate Brown, and Governor Barbara the other U.S. Magistrate Judges. In Roberts joined us in singing their praises. The evening ended with remarks addition, three women have served by Professor Lansing who gave us an unforgettable thank you (and pos- on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the sibly a new name – the nickname Us-“Duck”-us). District of Oregon since 1978: Judges Thanks to all for a wonderful year and we look forward to more memo- Polly S. Higdon, Elizabeth L. Perris, ries in 2017. and current Chief Bankruptcy Judge Trish Brown. Judge Susan Graber is Kathryn P. Roberts the only woman judge from Oregon President, Us-“Duck”-us who has served on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The U.S. District Court of Oregon Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors Historical Society extends a warm welcome to Judge Russo. PICNIC SPONSORS: the District of Oregon’s Attorney Admissions Fund, the Oregon Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, Lane Powell, Markowitz Herbold PC, Miller Nash Graham & Dunn, Pioneer Courthouse Historical Society, and Stoel Rives LLP ANNUAL MEETING TABLE SPONSORS: Angeli Law Group, Bulli- vant Houser Bailey PC, Davis Wright Tremaine; Janet Hoffman & Associ- ates LLC, Klarquist, Lane Powell, Lewis & Clark Law School, Markowitz Herbold PC, Miller Nash Graham & Dunn, Ogletree Deakins, Perkins Coie, Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt, and Stoel Rives LLP Judge Russo (with folder) enjoys the event. 2 U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society Bankruptcy Judge Randall L. Dunn to Retire By Hon. Peter McKittrick he Hon. Randall L. Dunn will be member of isms. When a corporate debtor would Tretiring in January 2017 after 18 the board of plead for more time to put together a years of service as a U.S. Bankruptcy governors. sale or a viable reorganization plan, Judge. Judge Dunn is known for his As presi- Judge Dunn would retort “This is service to his colleagues nationally, his dent, he was like the play Waiting for Godot—and tenure on the 9th Circuit Bankruptcy responsible we all know what happens—Godot Appellate Panel (BAP), and his quick for organiz- never appears.” He was also known wit on the bench. ing the larg- to use the term “tough crunchies,” Judge Dunn earned his under- est national (that’s too bad counsel), as well as the graduate degree from Northwestern insolvency phrase “when Humpty Dumpty falls University, and received his Juris Hon. Randall Dunn professional off the wall, you can’t put him back Doctor from Stanford in 1975. Prior conference together.” Chief Bankruptcy Judge to joining the bench, Judge Dunn in the country, with attendance Trish M. Brown lamented that she was a partner in the Portland-based approaching 2,000 attendees. Judge has treasured their 17 years together firm Landye Bennett Blumstein. Dunn served an extended 10-year on the bench: “We will miss Randy. His practice focused on commercial term on the 9th Circuit BAP, hear- He has been an enthusiastic and sup- bankruptcy, business transactions, ing appeals from bankruptcy courts portive colleague.” and securities. Judge Dunn brought throughout the 9th circuit. He served Judge Dunn looks forward in a wealth of practical experience in as chief judge of the BAP and he also retirement to spending more time both bankruptcy and business law served on the 9th Circuit Judicial with his family, and returning to to the bench. Conference planning committee. In his favorite hobby of playing music. Judge Dunn is well known for his 2016, Judge Dunn was honored with service to the National Conference of William N. Stiles Award of Merit by Judge Dunn performed for 25 years Bankruptcy Judges (NCBJ) and his the Debtor/Creditor Section of the with the Portland Opera Orchestra, time as a member of the 9th Circuit Oregon State Bar for his outstanding where he played clarinet. He plans to BAP. He has been involved as a mem- contributions to the section and years celebrate his retirement with friends, ber and officer of NCBJ throughout of public service to the bar and bench. family, and colleagues at a reception his career, having served as treasurer, The local bankruptcy bench will at the Multnomah Athletic Club on secretary, and president, as well as a miss Judge Dunn’s quips from the Friday, January 13, 2017. bench, known as “Judge Dunn” Attendees at the Annual Dinner Bankruptcy Judge Thomas Renn Judge Anna Brown and Board members Julie Engbloom, Kathryn and Chief Judge Trisha Brown.