Arline Rossi

Arline Martin Rossi (April 25, 1909 – 1998) was an American lawyer and jurist who was one of the first women to serve as a United States Referee in Bankruptcy.

Early life

Rossi was born April 25, 1909, in Escondido, California. She graduated valedictorian from Calexico Union High School, and earned her undergraduate degree from San Diego State College, where she served as editor of the college newspaper. In 1941, she received her law degree from the University of Southern California, where she served on the law review.

Career

Rossi was admitted to the California Bar in December 1941. She began her legal career as a law clerk for Albert Lee Stephens Sr., a judge on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. She later served as an attorney for the Office of Price Administration in Los Angeles. From 1945 to 1948, Rossi worked for Fairchild Fashion Media. In 1948, she became an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of California.

Federal judicial service

In 1959, Rossi was appointed as a bankruptcy referee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. She thus became one of the first women to be appointed a bankruptcy referee in any court of the United States, and the only woman serving as a bankruptcy referee at the time. Rossi served as bankruptcy referee until 1969, when she was succeeded be Charles M. Fox, Jr. While serving as a bankruptcy referee, Rossi was also a lecturer in law at California Western School of Law.

Personal life and death

Rossi was married to Remo Rossi, a public school teacher. She was an Episcopalian, and was a member of the Professional Women's Club. She died in 1998.