Colleagues and family recall Justice Susan Owens’ plainspoken style, mentorship at Bar Association ceremony

Speakers at a Bar Association ceremony remembered Justice Susan Owens, highlighting her small‑town background, plainspoken writing style and longtime work on the bench.

Speaker 1, a justice, opened with biographical remarks: "Justice Owens was born in 1949 in North Carolina," and described Owens’ early career moves, including time in Forks and work with legal services. Speaker 2, identified as a family member, described Owens’ upbringing and perseverance: "My mom had to work very hard for everything that she had. She got really good grades to put herself through college. She overcame a lot of adversity to become what she became." Speaker 3, who said they assisted Owens with opinion drafting, described Owens’ emphasis on clear, accessible opinions.

The speakers said Owens joined the Supreme Court in February 2001 and served until she "aged out," a phrase used by Speaker 1 during remarks: "She joined the court in 02/2001, I believe, and served until she was aged out." Remarks repeatedly credited Owens with mentoring younger lawyers and judges, including long involvement with the Washington Leadership Institute and a stated interest in providing consistent judicial training across jurisdictions.

Speakers highlighted several recurring themes in Owens’ career: use of plain language in opinions, attention to survivors of domestic violence and advocacy for LGBTQ people. "She stood up for survivors of domestic violence," Speaker 1 said, and Speaker 3 added that Owens "put eyes on that issue and continued to teach about that issue and write case law on that issue throughout her career." Speaker 2 recalled her mother’s community ties in Forks and lighter moments such as organizing traveling court events and participating in costume contests.

Family remarks noted Owens’ personal life and relationships with clerks and mentees: "She attended their baby's christenings," Speaker 1 said. Speaker 2 reflected on the personal impact: "Since she has passed, I definitely have heard from many people, strangers included, explain to me that my mom helped them move forward in life or listen to them when they needed to be listened to or gave them a second chance when they needed a second chance." In closing, Speaker 2 referenced the Mary Fairhurst Award: "I actually didn't realize that it was the Mary Fairhurst Award. Mary Fairhurst and my mom are very close. I think they're up there right now just tickled that this award is being given and along with my brother and our families, it means a lot. Thank you very much."