Julia “Julie” Metzger was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, where her parents were convinced she should be exposed to the arts. She had ballet, toe, and tap classes from the ages of 4 to 14 and piano and flute lessons during elementary school; however, she was really more academic than musical. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan in 1970 and after a few years working in the Ohio legislature obtained her JD from The Ohio State University in 1977.
After completing her law degree, Julie practiced law for one year in Columbus, Ohio and then married Sam Bufford and moved to California where she practiced law until 2010. Julie’s law practice was primarily focussed on commercial law and financial institutions. While practicing law, Julie was heavily involved in professional associations including chairing many committees for the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the California State Bar Association, and the Women Lawyer’s Association. In addition, Julie frequently taught as an adjunct professor at Southwestern College of Law and California State University, Los Angeles campus. During this time, she also chaired the board of trustees of the Los Angeles County Epilepsy Society, served on the board of the regional division of The American Lung Association, and served on numerous committees for St. Peter’s by the Sea Presbyterian Church and the Presbytery of the Pacific.
In 2010, Julie and her husband Sam Bufford retired from their positions in Los Angeles, California and moved to State College, Pennsylvania to teach in its new law school. During this time, they began spending summers in Summit County and discovered the NRO. Julie worked on the NRO’s last 2 Galas and last year began volunteering with the Community Link program. In addition to the NRO, since moving to Summit County, Julie has been active with the Summit Historical Society, and served on the Keystone Election Commission and Keystone Charter Commission.