Remembering Susan Jordan Dear friends and comrades: Susan B. Jordan, lawyer, died in the crash of a small plane in Southern Utah on Friday morning. Susan, at 67, had represented during her almost four decades, both political persons and political causes. I first became familiar with her work when she defended Inez Garcia, accused and convicted of murder in the shooting death of her rapist. Susan brilliantly argued self defense on behalf of this battered woman and WON. It was a revelation and it was born of Susan's instinct which never deserted her, of what was just and right. She went on to represent captured members Emily and Bill Harris of the Symbionese Liberation Army; Judy Beri, who the government claimed was an environmental terrorist when a bomb exploded in her own car (later totally disproved); Marilyn Buck, political prisoner in her bid for parole from federal prison and Susan Olson, a political fugitive and Mom arrested in Minneapolis and now serving parole there. This is just culling from my far from perfect memory, some of the work Susan did. Personally, after I was falsely convicted of materially aiding terrorism in February 2005, it was necessary for me to put together a team of lawyers who would represent me at sentencing and fight the government's outrageous demand of thirty years. Susan and I had first met personally at the National Lawyers Guild Convention of 2002. She was writing an article about my case (which later appeared in Guild Notes and also the San Francisco Law Journal). It was a friendship that was pre ordained. At the end of three hours of interview, laughter, exchanging "war" stories, exploring mutual friends; Susan smiled her beautiful smile and said heartily "You're my new best friend !" Indeed it was to be so for the entire time of my trial, my fight with breast cancer (she accompanied me to the hospitalfor the followup to the mammogram) at sentencing. The legal team I had asked to represent me consisted of Joshua Dratel, Jill Shellow, Ellen Yaroshevsky, Liz Fink and Susan. Each one of these lawyers had sterling qualities but it was apparant at times that "teamwork" was not their forte--something about legal egos (mine included). Susan, transcended the turmoil and whether it was her Buddhist belief or her zen and yoga training, she was the force that made it possible for us all to work together and ultimately submit to the Court a memorandum that resulted in the thirty years becoming a twenty eight month sentence. She labored for hours--in person and coast to coast, with me, in the preparation of a statement to the Judge that accurately portrayed my thinking and feelings, which I now realize, I could never have done without her. And now she is gone. It does not fill the void to comment on the length of her exemplary life and career, for she still had miles to go before she slept. I last saw her at the Lawyers Guild dinner honoring Steve Bingham in Oakland California, last month. We were able to talk only for minutes but we planned to see each other in NYC or she would fly us up to Eureka in her beloved Mooney-- now that is never to be. I miss Susan presently and forever, as my mentor, my Sister lawyer but mostly as a kindred spirit loving life and fighting for justice. Susan B. Jordan, presente ! My first recollection of Susan was when she was touring the country, giving workshops on how to defend against grand jury abuse. This was likely in the late 60's and before law school for me, possibly a bit later. A great service, as activists were being harassed all over the country, and a vigorous and informed legal defense was critical. More recently we had contact when she inquired about a few Cuba travel cases, in which she was advising or representing folks in her area, and was part of our network. She was an intelligent and dedicated defender of peoples' rights, who never gave up. Obviously, she will be missed. Art Heitzer, Chair NLG Cuba Subcommittee, by email from Hanoi for the IADL congress Lynne, My heart goes out to you in the death of your forever friend, SUSAN B JORDAN, PRESENTE! vinie b. Subject: Emily & Bill Harris Of all the important cases you mentioned, that is the one I remember. I have no memories of your dear friend, except that her name is familiar. My message is for you who are mourning. My thoughts & love are with you, as her passing affects us all because of the kind of person she was..but also because of that she has left a legacy of strength and love....and she died doing. I am sorry for your loss, Jeanne I am sorry I never got to know Susan Jordan. Lynne has expressed beautifully the kind of woman she was, the kind of woman and attorney I admire. I believe there is no death. Susan clearly lives on and is Presente as Lynne exclaims. I think that means she is present, and I am sure it is so. God bless her for assisting all those named by Lynne and unnamed. I am sure he helped countless others. Who knows what this crazy life is all about, but surely trying to help those in the most extreme of difficult situations must be amongst the list of not bad choices. I thank you for your lives, for Susan's life, that she lived to help you Lynne, which sounds like it was a supreme blessing. May peace and justice prevail. Much love to you. Hope to see you at the Chomsky event. till later, Joanne Susan was one of my heroes-from the first time I met her during Redwood Summer in Northern California in 1990, to her hearing her talk about pioneering the battered women's defense in the Inez Garcia case, to many cases and many years since then. She was such an inspiration throughout the years. Whenever I heard her name in connection with an important political case, I knew they were in good hands. Susan, you will always be here with us. A luta continua! Larry My dear Lynne: Thank you for sharing this eloquent and poignant sadness at the loss of your friend and defender. I can only begin to imagine how tragic her death is to you but also to the legions of people whom she directly represented or whose causes she adopted. The foot soldiers of justice are too few and endangered. I feel thanksgiving for her life simply on the basis of your description of what she had accomplished and what she means to you. Love, Beth