Assignment: Staff photography for Judge Jennifer Sung, 9th Circuit Court of Appeal.
Setting: Pioneer Courthouse, Portland, Oregon.
Highlights: The opportunity comes rarely to photograph behind the scenes in a Federal court.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is the largest of 13 federal appellate court systems in America, covering 9 states and 2 territories with 29 judgeships. Its case load ranges widely, from bankruptcies to intellectual property rights, to telecommunications and the regulation of clearcuts under the U.S. Forestry administration. 9th circuit judges work in teams to create “en banc” decisions, reflecting more than a single judge’s opinion.
But single judges, and their personal staff, are the foundation of the system, and are close knit teams all their own. On June 21, I was privileged to do portraits of Judge Jennifer Sung and her staff in Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse (for very nearly 150 years, home to the federal court system in Oregon). The photo session, with the assistance of Alex Woodward, took place on the last day that several of Judge Sung’s interns would be on her team before embarking on legal careers of their own. The event felt like a family portrait, as we chose a location on the court bench, high above the floor where attorneys, plaintiffs and defendants would populate the court when it was in session. But this day the court room was empty, the bench briefly clear of contention, dispassion and finality, instead filled with smiles, family togetherness and genuine affection.
Before the photo session was over, Judge Sung gave each staff member a hug.
