[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 25, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E53]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING NORA MANELLA UPON HER RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 25, 2023

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Honorable Nora 
Margaret Manella, who will soon retire as Presiding Justice for the 
California Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four.
  Justice Manella has held numerous highly esteemed positions over the 
course of her career ranging from being a complex civil litigator in 
private practice and a federal prosecutor in Los Angeles to being a 
U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California and U.S. District 
Judge.
  Born and raised in Los Angeles, Justice Manella received her Bachelor 
of Arts from Wellesley College and her Juris Doctor from the University 
of Southern California Law School. She began her judicial career as a 
law clerk for Judge John Minor Wisdom of the U.S. Court of Appeals for 
the Fifth Circuit, before serving as a counsel to the Subcommittee on 
the Constitution in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. After some 
time in private practice, she returned to working for the government as 
an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California. I 
had the pleasure of being her colleague in that office when she led the 
appellate division. Her sparkling intellect, quick wit, expansive 
knowledge, analytical skills and brilliant oratory were legendary in 
the office. An accomplished lawyer in the courtroom as well, she 
prosecuted a wide variety of cases ranging from homicide to commodities 
fraud to international narcotics trafficking. She later served as a 
judge on the Los Angeles Municipal Court and Los Angeles Superior 
Court.
  In 1994, former President Bill Clinton recognized her dedication and 
public service by nominating Judge Manella to be the U.S. Attorney for 
the Central District of California, where she oversaw an office of over 
200 lawyers. During her time as U.S. Attorney, she was recognized by 
the National Law Journal as one of ``The 50 Most Influential Women 
Lawyers in the United States'' and by the Daily Journal as one of ``The 
100 most Powerful Lawyers in California.'' After being nominated again 
by former President Clinton to be a U.S. District Judge, where she was 
unanimously approved by the United States Senate, she was named 
``Federal Judge of the Year'' by Century City Bar Association, Criminal 
Section. In 2006 she was nominated by former Governor Schwarzenegger to 
the California Court of Appeal and in 2018 to her final position as 
Presiding Justice by former Governor Brown.
  While her list of accomplishments is far longer than can be included 
here, it is clear that Justice Manella's expertise in the legal field 
and her devotion to serving and improving her nation is unmatched. She 
is a true role model and inspiration for all, but above all else, Nora 
is a fierce friend, with an everpresent smile and zeal for life that 
extends beyond the courtroom. She has been a trusted mentor to 
countless young people and women across the legal field in Southern 
California, service that will continue past her time on the bench.
  The Honorable Nora Margaret Manella has been truly indispensable to 
not only Southern California, but to California and the Nation. Her 
public service will not only be remembered, but cherished. I ask all 
Members of Congress to join me in thanking Justice Manella for over 4 
decades of unwavering and exceptional public service.

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