Nov. 4, 2014

SF attorney honored by public defender for 60-year career

San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi presented attorney Harriet Ross with the Wing of Justice award for her noteworthy 60-year legal career. The Bar Association of San Francisco Director of Court Programs Julie Traun awarded Ross a plaque on behalf of BASF, recognizing her achievements. Following the award presentation, Adachi unveiled a series of vintage portraits of notable women who served as San Francisco public defenders. Ross, a graduate of Cornell University and USF School of Law, was admitted to the State Bar in 1954 and went into private practice. In 1967, she was hired as the second female deputy public defender in San Francisco history. According to the public defender's office, she established a reputation as a fierce and effective litigator, trying over 200 cases, including 200 jury trials. Ross secured acquittals in the majority of her cases. Ross also ran for U.S. Congress against Nancy Pelosi in 1987. She retired from the public defender's office in 1990 and returned to private practice. Among her notable clients was Kevin Jordan, a man beaten by SFPD officers in what would later be called "Fajitagate."