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Alumna honored for contributions to community, courtroom

Paula Bechtold JD ’75 blazes the trail for women in the law profession and devotes her lifetime career to community service.

March 30, 2010

Paula Bechtold JD ’75 was profiled for her pioneering start in the legal profession and her lifetime of service to improve the status of women.

The first and only female judge handling cases in Coos County, Oregon, Bechtold was recently honored for her commitment to community work.

Bechtold has developed a number of programs through Coos County’s court system, including a special court for mental health patients and the Coos/Douglas County Neighbor-to-Neighbor Mediation Services. She also helped develop “Choices for Life,” an alcohol education program at Southwestern Oregon Community College for first-time offenders.

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