Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021 - 20

FEATURE

For her women law clerks who went
on to high-ranking positions in
business, government, law firms,
the bench, and other male-dominated
arenas, Judge Green was a beacon
of light showing us a path as we each
forged our way.

Judge June Green in #28 Darrell Green jersey, a gift
from her law clerks on her 28th anniversary on the
bench, with the author at the annual law clerk reunion
in Fall 1996.

disdain. Judge Green, however, never lost her temper or dispensed
anything but fair justice based solely on the facts and the law. She came
to be recognized for her knowledge of the courtroom, fairness, and
judicial temperament.
As late as 1985, a high-ranking federal official whose agency had lost
a case before Judge Green did not disguise his opinion of women.
Believing he was talking with a friendly group, as reported in the
Washington Post,
Post, he said a " male judge would have understood the issue
better. " He continued, " [T]his is an illustration of why women shouldn't
be allowed to go to law school, let alone be appointed to the bench. "
When Judge Green's female law clerk read the article, she went into the
judge's office outraged, spitting fire. The judge responded calmly that
the comments reflected more poorly on the person making them
and cautioned her law clerk against becoming bitter because of such
remarks. Judge Green once again taught a young woman lawyer to stay
focused on what mattered - a client's case and the lawyer's reputation
- and not be distracted by anger or others' ignorance. In the end, the
official sent the judge a letter of apology for his " tasteless remarks " and
conceded that " the decision itself is well-written and properly reflects
the existing law. "
Judge Green presided over numerous high-profile cases and many more
matters important only to the litigants before her. She cared about each
case. Judge Green always conducted herself with grace, dignity, and
patience. She let lawyers try their cases but insisted upon civility and
respect for all in the courtroom. Judge Green did not try to hide her
empathy and compassion with condescension, bluster, or bullying.
Indeed, as one of her former women law clerks observed, she was

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MARCH/APRIL 2021

" woke " long before most of the judges of her generation. Another
former woman clerk noted that the judge taught the importance of
giving second chances to those who had not received them in the past.
For example, observing the disadvantage of some criminal defendants
who were unable to read, Judge Green and her husband went to the
D.C. Jail weekly for many years to teach inmates literacy skills. There was
no fanfare; it was a quiet recognition of the dignity others deserved.
For her women law clerks who went on to high-ranking positions in
business, government, law firms, the bench, and other male-dominated
arenas, Judge Green was a beacon of light showing us a path as we each
forged our way. She taught us another important lesson - our path
should not be a lonely one with the law as a jealous mistress. It should
lead to a life of love and laughter, full of strong relationships with family,
friends, and colleagues.
Judge Green and her husband lived in their family home for decades
until she died. It was a place of happy gatherings, and she included her
law clerks in her judicial family, showing us the importance of caring
for one another, giving back to our community, and serving as mentors
for those who followed us. The shoulders of this regal and courageous
woman were not broad, but they were strong. Generations of women
lawyers and judges have reached new heights because they stood on
those shoulders.
Elizabeth Sarah " Sally " Gere, retired from the Office of the Attorney General for
the District of Columbia, is a member of the D.C. Bar Board of Governors. She
clerked for Judge Green from 1972 to 1975.
Washington Lawyer - March/April 2021

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