 |
 |
Jill Ravitch is sworn in as Sonoma County District Attorney by Judge Elliot Daum during a ceremony Sunday at Sonoma Country Day School. BETH SCHLANKER/PD
By PAUL PAYNE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Sonoma County’s first woman district attorney, Jill Ravitch, was sworn in Sunday in a ceremony that summoned images of barrier breakers before her.
Ravitch, 52, of Sebastopol became the county’s 33rd elected top prosecutor before a standing-room-only crowd of more than 500 people, including the region’s legal and political heavyweights, at Sonoma Country Day School.
An old courtroom adversary, defense-lawyer-turned-Superior-Court-Judge Elliot Daum, administered the oath of office, but not before comparing Ravitch to Jackie Robinson, the first black major league baseball player.
He also likened Ravitch to Rosie the Riveter, a World War II poster character who lauded the efforts of working women. He said Ravitch was taking the mantle from Rosie’s real-life inspiration, Geraldine Doyle, who died this week.
“The rising of this woman is indeed and absolutely the rising of us all,” Daum said before clasping Ravitch’s shoulders and later swearing her in.
Ravitch, who was met by big applause, called her ascension to district attorney over a prosecutorial career of more that 20 years an “amazing journey.”
She renewed her campaign pledge to be a hands-on leader and good listener.
“Hold me to my promises because we all deserve it,” Ravitch told the crowd. “What an amazing county. Let’s protect it.”
Ravitch, who takes office at noon today, was elected in June over two-term District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua by a margin of 55 percent to 45 percent.
The ceremony drew dozens of the area’s legal and governmental elite, including at least 20 sitting or retired judges, district attorneys from five counties and the region’s law enforcement brass.
Also in attendance were representatives from Sacramento, county supervisors and elected officials from the county’s nine cities.
“This is very historic,” state Sen. Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, said as she mingled in the foyer before the ceremony. “I think she’ll bring a fresh approach to the administration of justice in Sonoma County.”
Superior Court Judge Gary Medvigy, a former prosecutor, said “everyone is excited to see how Jill does.”
“I think the whole courthouse is very optimistic for positive change,” Medvigy said.
Santa Rosa criminal defense attorney Chris Andrian, one of dozens from the defense bar to turn out, called Ravitch “an outstanding lawyer and an outstanding person.”
“She’s really galvanized the community,” Andrian said, pointing to the large crowd. “It’s a great day for the county.”
Ravitch’s election was her second attempt at unseating Passalacqua, a former co-worker whom she supported when he ran against then-District Attorney Mike Mullins in 2002.
On Sunday, she invited Mullins, now a Solano County prosecutor, to share the stage and say a few words.
“I love irony, don’t you?” Mullins said to warm applause.
Ravitch came to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office in 1990 after a stint as a prosecutor in Alameda County. She went to UC Berkeley and University of San Francisco’s law school.
She developed a reputation for being one of the county’s top courtroom prosecutors before leaving for private practice in 2004. She became third-in-command at the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office in 2008.
Her second campaign for the $200,000-a-year job was a hard-fought battle and eclipsed previous spending records.
Combined, the two candidates shelled out more than $600,000, eclipsing their 2006 mark of $432,000.
The District Attorney’s Office has 125 employees and a $22 million budget.
Ravitch has said she will spend the first 30 days in observation mode before making wholesale staff changes.
But she said Sunday night she would appoint Deputy District Attorney Bud McMahon to be her right-hand as chief deputy.
McMahon, the longest serving attorney in the office, had been relegated to the juvenile division under Passalacqua. He was an active campaigner for Ravitch.
Ravitch also said former Assistant District Attorney Diana Gomez, who supported Passalacqua’s re-election and served in an at-will top management position, would be demoted.
The invitation-only ceremony took on some of the qualities of a light-hearted roast.
Her younger brother, John Ravitch, said the new D.A. got her famous courtroom moxie from her grandmother and her career direction from Hollywood.
At a young age, Ravitch camped out in her grandmother Mimi’s New York City apartment, eating tuna sandwiches, drinking Tab and watching “Perry Mason” episodes, said John Ravitch said.
She developed into a persuasive debater who, “at the age of six prevailed in every family discussion,” her brother said to peals of laughter from the crowd.
“If you do the arithmetic, it’s a very long winning streak,” John Ravitch said.
While the rest of the family pursued a music business, Jill Ravitch one day announced she was going to law school to become a prosecutor.
“Law school was something like, ‘What are you doing?’” John Ravitch said. “You’re watching too much TV.”
“Of course we all recognize Jill today as a hardworking attorney,” her brother said.
Daum, a former criminal defender, got in on the kidding, recounting the time he faced “Savage Ravitch” at trial.
Ravitch won over jurors from her opening statements and continued to hammer the defense through six long weeks of testimony.
“I learned a lot in that trial and I’m still picking up the pieces,” Daum deadpanned.
Daum tried to assure defense lawyers who feared Ravitch’s legal prowess, saying said she would always at least listen to settlement offers.
But in a reference to campaign attacks by Passalacqua, Daum warned defense attorneys not to expect favors from Ravitch.
“It may be you won’t be able to walk out of there with that sweetheart deal we’ve heard so much about,” Daum said to applause.
Subscribe by Email
Follow us on Twitter
Next in line was Laura Colgate, the interim director of the Family Justice Center. Those who pioneered Domestic Violence in this County were discredited by Ravitch as they’d not climbed the same ladder. Volunteers and interns were considered “red flags” even though the department was understaffed. Today she receives accolades for stepping into Stephan’s shoes for the center.
Good riddance Little Mr. P and take your League of Legally Blonds with you!
Just Me, hmmm then how do you suppose the Victim Assistant Center director, Linda Reitzell got fired? She wasn’t in an “at will” position as you say?
Why has the press democrat not reported on the 3rd demotion/firing in the DA’s office, ALL OF PASSALACQUA SUPPORTERS, in Rabitch’s 1st week of office.
Again, my point is that politics are alive and well in the DA’s office. Rabitch is showing her true colors and they are REVENGE!
the “list” is clearly framed in her office and she is acting on it immediately, not seeing for herself what changes should/need to be made.
The staff in that office is more fearful than they ever were under Passalacqua. If she can get rid of high level managers without missing a beat or having any fallout, who’s next. That office is more afraid now to speak out because they don’t want to be on the chopping block. Just what Rabitch wanted.
Willis, you need to check the Civil Service Rules and get your facts straight before you spout off.
Diana Gomez was in an appointed position that ended with the end of Passalacqua’s term. This appointment is not protected by Civil Service and the incoming District Attorney may appoint whomever she chooses.
Diana then is demoted back to her former position of Chief Deputy DA as per the Civil Service Rules.
In order to demote her back to her former position, there must be a vacant position available. Per Civil Service Rules, she may displace the Chief Deputy with the lowest seniority, which unfortunately is Tashawn Sanders.
Tashawn then returns to her former position of Deputy DA IV. It is unfortunate that this must happen, but I’m sure Tashawn was made aware of this when she was promoted.
Tashawn is an awesome choice for the management staff and I hope that there will be a place there for her in the future.
With this downward movement, the appointed Assistant District Attorney position is vacant for Ms. Ravitch (and please spell her name correctly in the future) to appoint Mr. McMahon to this well-deserved position that became available with the start of Ms. Ravitch’s term.
ANOTHER HEAD has been lopped off in the DA’s Office. Rabitch demoted Chief Deputy District Attorney Tashawn Sanders, a passalacqua supporter and replaced her with a Rabitch supporter.
The “list” of passalacqua supporters that was “shredded” must have been taped back together.
Why no PD news articles or reports about these very big changes in the DA’s office, especially when Rabitch promised to make NO changes for 30 days and see how things are working? Hmmmmm me thinks her mind was made up before she got there, maybe made up when names were put on her “list”!
I am THRILLED that Jill has chosen Bud to be the appointed Asst. D.A. replacing Diana Gomez. This news made my day!
Bud certainly deserves this appointment, but more importantly he has earned it! He will do well! I am so glad Stephan was unable to force him out like he did almost all of his Sr. Attorneys. Congratulations Bud!
@Bill…you ask who’s next? Perhaps it’s you… I’m sure Jill will put people in place with integrity and true grit and weed out those who have proven themselves over many years not to be trusted.
When Daum was a public defender, he’d compare his clients to Jackie Robinson routinely. Are people forgetting that before he became a judge, Daum was the sleaziest defense attorney going? Not even Turer or Andrian would stoop as low as Daum. He lived the stereotype and deserved it.
Now he’s an elitist? I don’t think that robe changed him at all. He’s probably wary that Ravich will be able to get him kicked off the bench or arrested for something whereas the political DA’s of the past would never think of going after him.
Hmmmm, sounds like somebody didn’t throw away the list of passalacqua supporters like she said she did.
Who’s next on the chopping block?
Daum could not possibly be more impressed with Ravitch than he is with himself.
An intolerably self-important elitist, he sees himself here as being involved in something really, really big, so he has to let all of us know just how big it is!
And that he’s a part of it!
@Reality Check
“With California represented in Congress by 2 women senators and 19 women members of the House, just how earth shattering can this be?”
“All info from Wikipedia:
There have been 38 women in the United States Senate since the establishment of that body in 1789. The first woman served in 1922, but women were first elected in number in 1992. Today, 17 of the 100 U.S. Senators are women. Thirteen of the women who have served were appointed; seven of those were appointed to succeed their deceased husbands.”
3 states have two female senators.
There is one Latino and one black senator, both men.
There are 42 African Americans (including two non-voting delegates), 27 Latinos and 75 female representatives.
Reminder: 100 senators, 435 members and six non-voting delegates. California has 53 representatives.
Yeah, we have LOTS of diversity, what’s the hype?
Really, Stacie?
We’re still talking about Jackie Robinson more than 60 years after he broke the major league color barrier. Do you think anyone will have a clue as to who Jill Ravitch was 60 years from now?
Don’t misunderstand. I’m sure Jill will be a fine D.A. I just cringe at the hyberbole coming from a sitting judge. It gives me pause as I think of him charging a jury.
And speaking of hyberpole, we may or may not be “blessed” in this county, but whichever it is has nothing to do with Daum or Ravitch.
With California represented in Congress by 2 women senators and 19 women members of the House, just how earth shattering can this be?
Anyway, despite the hype, she appears to have the support of the law enforcement community, which is about as good a beginning as any DA can hope for.
Judge Daum has an excelent grip. Do you? We are truly BLESSED in Sonoma County..
Bud McMahon is an awesome choice. Ms. Ravich has already made a good decision. It’s a shame his talents had been co-opted. Everyone is really looking forward to having a real District Attorney again.
Wow! I certainly wish Ms. Ravitch all the best, but comparing her to Jackie Robinson is way over the top. I’m wondering now how secure is Daum’s grip on reality.