San Francisco, CA — San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi today announced his appointment of attorney Jill Rowe to the city’s Elections Commission.
Rowe, a partner at the San Francisco law firm of Cooper, White & Cooper, LLP, will be sworn in today at 4 p.m. at her firm. She replaces Elections Commissioner Joseph B. Phair, who left the office on Feb. 16, 2011. Rowe’s term expires January, 2016.
Rowe, a San Francisco resident, feels strongly that free, fair and functional elections are vital to the welfare of ordinary San Franciscans, Adachi said.
“She is ready to meet the challenges awaiting Elections Commissioners, including redistricting in San Francisco based on new census data and budget management during these difficult financial times,” Adachi said.
Rowe earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of San Diego in 1990 and completed her graduate studies in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1992. She received her law degree in 1998 from the University of Washington Law School.
She currently practices civil litigation and serves on her firm’s management committee.
“Ms. Rowe will bring the skills she has developed as a litigator and manager—namely the ability to think analytically, to listen with an open mind, and to communicate persuasively—to the Elections Commission,” Adachi said.
The City Charter authorizes the Elections Commission to supervise the city’s Department of Elections. The Commission sets general policies for the department and selects and supervises the director of the Department of Elections.
