Neva Elliott Scholarship

Neva Elliott was a world traveler who was not afraid to take risks. She flew a plane, traveled the rivers of China and was a lover of world culture. She cared deeply for her friends and celebrated with them frequently. She was a remarkable woman who lived a full life.

Born to a pioneer Oregon family, Neva Elliott graduated from Jefferson High School in Portland in 1925. She spent two years at Reed College and then began work as a secretary for Charles Spackman who ran Northwestern School of Law. Ms. Elliot was the only administrative employee and worked her way through law school graduating in 1935.

After graduation, Ms. Elliot clerked for a bankruptcy court judge and then practiced criminal law. During World War II, she shifted her practice emphasis to domestic relations, estate planning, and general litigation. In 1967, Ms. Elliott was appointed to a pro tem judge in Multnomah County and she continued to serve in that capacity until the late 1980s. In the 1960s, she was appointed General Counsel for the Advertising Association of the West. Ms. Elliot served as General Counsel in addition to her regular practice.

Those who knew Neva Elliott well have shared that Neva cared deeply for her friends and colleagues. She helped young lawyers get started in their careers, giving special support to those who chose to pursue a career as a sole practitioner. Ms. Elliott worked very hard in law school and her work ethic, combined with her caring manner, made her a very good practitioner of the law.

Neva Elliott was grateful to Northwestern School of Law for taking her in as one of few female law students at the time. Ms. Elliott expressed her appreciation to the school by establishing an endowed scholarship to support evening students. Recipients of the Neva Elliott Scholarship demonstrate high integrity, ethical standards and a commitment to helping others.