Oregon Judicial Vacancies
Recent Vacancies
Governor Kate Brown Expands Previously Announced Judicial Appointment Process
The Governor invites applications for potential vacancies on the Oregon Supreme Court
and Oregon Court of Appeals
(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown today announced her intention to use the pending, previously announced appellate judicial appointment process to build a pool of candidates that the Governor can draw from to fill any further vacancies that may arise on the Oregon Supreme Court or Oregon Court of Appeals during the remainder of her term of office.
Last week, the Governor’s Office opened a judicial appointment process, to fill a vacancy on the Oregon Supreme Court resulting from Justice Thomas Balmer’s planned retirement. Since that announcement, the Governor’s Office has received inquiries as to whether candidates who apply for Justice Balmer’s position will also be considered for other appellate court vacancies, in the event that such vacancies occur later this year.
Governor Brown has decided to expand the pending appellate judicial appointment process, and invites applications from individuals interested in Justice Balmer’s position, or any other vacancy that may arise later this year on the Oregon Supreme Court or Oregon Court of Appeals.
Applicants who already submitted interest forms as part of last year’s combined appellate judicial process will be automatically considered, and need not apply again. (A list of those applicants can be found here.) Individuals who did not apply during last year’s appointment process and who would like to be considered should address their completed application forms to the General Counsel for the Office of the Governor, and email (no mail or hand delivery) those completed forms to Shevaun Gutridge at shevaun.gutridge@oregon.gov. Forms must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19, 2022. Applicants should specify whether they are interested in a position on the Oregon Supreme Court, the Oregon Court of Appeals, or both.
Governor Brown fills judicial vacancies based on merit. She encourages applications from lawyers with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.
ORS 2.020 provides that a judge of the Oregon Supreme Court must be a citizen of the United States, have resided in Oregon for at least three years before their appointment, and have been admitted to practice in Oregon before standing for election. ORS 2.540 provides that a judge of the Oregon Court of Appeals must be an elector of the county of residence of the judge and must be admitted to practice in Oregon.
For questions about the appointment process, or to request an interest form, contact Shevaun Gutridge, at 503-378-6246 or shevaun.gutridge@oregon.gov. The Appellate/Supreme Court Judicial Interest Form is available online.
The following candidates have submitted materials to the Governor's Office. Comments on any of the candidates can be made to General Counsel at Governor Kate Brown's Office, Dustin Buehler, (503) 378-6246, or dustin.e.buehler@oregon.gov.
Supreme Court Highly Qualified List*
Allen, Hon. Beth
Aoyagi, Hon. Robyn
Bushong, Hon. Steve
Campbell, Bruce
Christ, Thomas
Davidson, Caroline
Gutman, Benjamin
Hill, Hon. Norman
Isaak, Misha
James, Hon. Bronson
Kasubhai, Hon. Mustafa
Markley, Julia
Ortega, Hon. Darleen
Pagán, Hon. Ramón
Price, Jessica
Runkles-Pearson, PK
Shorr, Hon. Scott
Tookey, Hon. Douglas
Court of Appeals Highly Qualified List*
Allen, Hon. Beth
Bushong, Hon. Steve
Coffin, Laura
Crutchley, Hon. Ray
Davidson, Caroline
Ferry, David
Gutman, Benjamin
Hill, Hon. Daniel
Hill, Hon. Norman
Hoesly, Cody
Hsu, Michael
Jacquot, Hon. Megan
Koch, Robert
Krohn, Kyle
Masih, Aruna
Payne, Shenoa
Price, Jessica
Quinn, Julene
Runkles-Pearson, PK
Savage, Elizabeth
Schanz, Dan
Shugar, Hon. Kamala
Simrin, Andy
Torres, Hon. Xiomara
Full Candidate List
Allen, Beth
Aoyagi, Robyn
Bushong, Steve
Campbell, Bruce
Christ, Thomas
Coffin, Laura
Crutchley, Ray
Curey, Sally
Davidson, Caroline
Ferry, David
Gutman, Benjamin
Hill, Daniel
Hill, Norman
Hoesly, Cody
Hsu, Michael
Isaak, Misha
Jacquot, Megan
James, Bronson
Kasubhai, Mustafa
Koch, Robert
Krohn, Kyle
Kron, Michael
Markley, Julia
Masih, Aruna
Moro, Tonia
Ortega, Darleen
Pagán, Ramón
Payne, Shenoa
Price, Jessica
Quinn, Julene
Rich, James
Runkles-Pearson, P.K.
Savage, Elizabeth
Shah, Peenesh
Schanz, Dan
Shorr, Scott
Shugar, Kamala
Simrin, Andy
Tookey, Douglas
Torres, Xiomara
* Note: Given the significant overlap in individuals applying for both the Oregon Supreme Court and Oregon Court of Appeals, the Governor's Office has announced that it will consolidate its appointment process for the pending appellate court vacancies, and will consider all of the candidates at once, for all available appellate court positions.
Governor Brown is committed to a diverse and inclusive judiciary. The Oregon Asian Pacific American Bar Association (OAPABA), OGALLA, the LGBTQ Bar Association, the Oregon Chapter of the National Bar Association (OC-NBA), and the Oregon Hispanic Bar Association (OHBA) have created the Oregon Judicial Diversity Coalition (OJDC) to conduct interviews for applicants interested in receiving endorsements from those specialty bars. Applicants interested in participating in the OJDC's interview process can find information and application materials here (http://oapaba.org/judicial-endorsements). All applications to OJDC are due no later than the deadline for the application forms to the Governor.
Governor Kate Brown Announces Additional Supreme Court Vacancy
(Seoul, South Korea) — Governor Kate Brown announced today that she intends to fill a judicial vacancy on the Oregon Supreme Court created by the planned retirement of Chief Justice Martha Walters. The Governor thanked the Chief Justice for her dedicated judicial service. The retirement of Chief Justice Walters is effective December 31, 2022, and the appointee will begin service immediately thereafter.
“Chief Justice Martha Walters has been an incredible advocate for Oregonians seeking access to justice, showing steadfast leadership as the first woman to serve as chief justice of the Supreme Court,” said Governor Kate Brown. “She has been collaborative and fearless in helping to seek solutions to some of the state’s most pressing and complex issues. I appreciate her dedicated service to Oregon, and wish her the very best.”
The Governor’s Office currently is conducting an appellate judicial appointment process, to fill the vacancy created by the previously announced retirement of Justice Thomas Balmer, and to build a pool of candidates that Governor Brown can draw from to fill any further vacancies that may arise on the Oregon Supreme Court or Oregon Court of Appeals during the remainder of her term of office. Consistent with that approach, applicants who are part of the candidate pool from that pending appellate judicial appointment process also will be considered for Chief Justice Walters’ position.
As previously announced, the deadline for applications for the appellate judicial appointment process is 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 19, 2022. Qualifications for the positions and instructions for applying can be found here.
For questions about the appointment process, or to request an interest form, contact Shevaun Gutridge, at 503-378-6246 or shevaun.gutridge@oregon.gov.
The judicial interest form is also available online.
Governor Brown is committed to a diverse and inclusive judiciary. The Oregon Asian Pacific American Bar Association (OAPABA), OGALLA, the LGBTQ Bar Association, the Oregon Chapter of the National Bar Association (OC-NBA), and the Oregon Hispanic Bar Association (OHBA) have created the Oregon Judicial Diversity Coalition (OJDC) to conduct interviews for applicants interested in receiving endorsements from those specialty bars. Applicants interested in participating in the OJDC's interview process can find information and application materials here (http://oapaba.org/judicial-endorsements). All applications to OJDC are due no later than the deadline for the application forms to the Governor.
Governor Kate Brown Announces Oregon Supreme Court Vacancy
(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown announced today she is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Oregon Supreme Court created by the upcoming retirement of Justice Thomas Balmer. The Governor thanked Justice Balmer for his dedicated judicial service. The retirement of Justice Balmer is effective December 31, 2022, and the appointee will begin service immediately thereafter.
Last year there were vacancies on the Oregon Supreme Court and Oregon Court of Appeals, for which candidates were interviewed and vetted by the Governor’s Office and the Oregon State Bar in a combined appellate judicial appointment process. Applicants who already submitted interest forms as part of last year’s appointment process will be considered for Justice Balmer’s position and need not apply again. A list of previous applicants can be found here, and the Oregon State Bar’s recommendations from that applicant pool can be found here.
Interested applicants who did not apply during last year’s combined appellate judicial appointment process and who would like to be considered by the Governor’s Office and the Oregon State Bar for Justice Balmer’s position should address their completed application forms to the General Counsel for the Office of the Governor, and email (no mail or hand delivery) those completed forms to Shevaun Gutridge at shevaun.gutridge@oregon.gov. Forms must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19, 2022.
Governor Brown fills judicial vacancies based on merit. She encourages applications from lawyers with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.
ORS 2.020 provides that a judge of the Supreme Court must be a citizen of the United States, have resided in Oregon for at least three years before their appointment, and have been admitted to practice in Oregon before standing for election.
For questions about the appointment process, or to request an interest form, contact Shevaun Gutridge at 503-378-6246 or shevaun.gutridge@oregon.gov. The Appellate/Supreme Court Judicial Interest Form is available online.
Governor Brown is committed to a diverse and inclusive judiciary. The Oregon Asian Pacific American Bar Association (OAPABA), OGALLA, the LGBTQ Bar Association, the Oregon Chapter of the National Bar Association (OC-NBA), and the Oregon Hispanic Bar Association (OHBA) have created the Oregon Judicial Diversity Coalition (OJDC) to conduct interviews for applicants interested in receiving endorsements from those specialty bars. Applicants interested in participating in the OJDC's interview process can find information and application materials here (http://oapaba.org/judicial-endorsements). All applications to OJDC are due no later than the deadline for the application forms to the Governor.
Governor Kate Brown Announces Jackson County Circuit Court Vacancy
(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown announced today that she is accepting applications for a judicial vacancy on the Jackson County Circuit Court created by the planned retirement of Judge Lorenzo A. Mejia. The Governor thanked Judge Mejia for his dedicated judicial service, and announced that she will fill the position by appointment. Judge Mejia’s retirement takes effect December 31, 2022.
Interested applicants should address their completed application forms to Dustin Buehler, General Counsel, Office of the Governor, and email (no mail or hand delivery) those completed forms to Shevaun Gutridge at shevaun.gutridge@oregon.gov. Forms must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2022.
ORS 3.041 and 3.050 provide that at the time of appointment to the court, the candidate must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of Oregon, and a member of the Oregon State Bar. SB 977, recently passed by the Legislature, creates a new requirement. It amends ORS 3.041 and requires that these vacancies must be filled by persons who are residents of or have principal offices in the judicial districts to which they are appointed or adjacent judicial districts.
For questions about the appointment process, or to request an interest form, contact Shevaun Gutridge at 503-378-6246 or shevaun.gutridge@oregon.gov.
The judicial interest form is also available online.
Governor Brown is committed to a diverse and inclusive judiciary. The Oregon Asian Pacific American Bar Association (OAPABA), OGALLA, the LGBTQ Bar Association, the Oregon Chapter of the National Bar Association (OC-NBA), and the Oregon Hispanic Bar Association (OHBA) have created the Oregon Judicial Diversity Coalition (OJDC) to conduct interviews for applicants interested in receiving endorsements from those specialty bars. Applicants interested in participating in the OJDC's interview process can find information and application materials here (http://oapaba.org/judicial-endorsements). All applications to OJDC are due no later than the deadline for the application forms to the Governor.
Governor Kate Brown Announces Jackson County Circuit Court Vacancy
The following candidates have submitted materials to the Governor's Office for this vacancy. Comments on any of the candidates can be made to General Counsel at Governor Kate Brown's Office, Dustin Buehler, (503) 378-6246, or dustin.e.buehler@oregon.gov.
Herbert, Christine
Krant, Susan
Lull, Benjamin
Markiewicz, Jeremy
Rowan, Matthew
Smith-Norton, Terry
Zammetti, Jennifer
Governor Kate Brown Announces Jackson County Circuit Court Vacancy
The following candidates have submitted materials to the Governor's Office for this vacancy. Comments on any of the candidates can be made to General Counsel at Governor Kate Brown's Office, Dustin Buehler, (503) 378-6246, or dustin.e.buehler@oregon.gov.
Watson, Janice
Wente, Nathan
Zammetti, Jennifer
Governor Kate Brown Announces Klamath County Circuit Court Vacancy
The following candidates have submitted materials to the Governor's Office for this vacancy. Comments on any of the candidates can be made to General Counsel at Governor Kate Brown's Office, Dustin Buehler, (503) 378-6246, or dustin.e.buehler@oregon.gov.
Carter, Scott
Cook, Amy
Hedlund, Stephen
Governor Kate Brown Announces Linn County Justice Court Vacancy
The following candidates have submitted materials to the Governor's Office for this vacancy. Comments on any of the candidates can be made to General Counsel at Governor Kate Brown's Office, Dustin Buehler, (503) 378-6246, or dustin.e.buehler@oregon.gov.
Flinn, Michael
Hernandez, Tomas
Plagmann, Teri
Stein, Keith
Williamson, Leonard
Governor Kate Brown Announces Multnomah County Circuit Court Vacancy
The following candidates submitted materials to the Governor's Office for the Multnomah County Circuit Court vacancy in April, 2021. Comments on any of the candidates can be made to General Counsel at Governor Kate Brown's Office, Dustin Buehler, (503) 378-6246, or dustin.e.buehler@oregon.gov.
Bodzin, Jay
Dozono, Elisa
Engelsman, Stephanie
Francesconi, Bryan
Forman, Dana
Ghandour, Rima
Jones, Andrew
Kalbaugh, Brad
Kaplan, Scott
Kirkwood, Erin
Kohlmetz, Andrew
Kroll, Edward
Le, Robert
McCormack, Chris
Meisner, Anatasia
Monson, Jon
Montalbano, Sonia
Naranjo, Sandra
O'Glasser, Ben
Park, BJ
Ridenour, Adele
Riedel, Mike
Savage, Elizabeth
Schlosser, John
Severe, Constantin
Shull, Christopher
Sykes, Diane
Tran, Thanh
Governor Kate Brown Announces Multnomah County Circuit Court Vacancy
The following candidates submitted materials to the Governor's Office for the Multnomah County Circuit Court vacancy in April, 2021. Comments on any of the candidates can be made to General Counsel at Governor Kate Brown's Office, Dustin Buehler, (503) 378-6246, or dustin.e.buehler@oregon.gov.
Bodzin, Jay
Engelsman, Stephanie
Francesconi, Bryan
Ghandour, Rima
Jones, Andrew
Kalbaugh, Brad
Kaplan, Scott
Kirkwood, Erin
Kohlmetz, Andrew
Le, Robert
McCormack, Chris
Monson, Jon
Montalbano, Sonia
Naranjo, Sandra
O'Glasser, Ben
Park, BJ
Reidel, Mike
Schlosser, John
Shull, Christopher
Sykes, Diane
Tran, Thahn
Governor Kate Brown Announces Yamhill County Circuit Court Vacancies
The following candidates have submitted materials to the Governor's Office for this vacancy. Comments on any of the candidates can be made to General Counsel at Governor Kate Brown's Office, Dustin Buehler, (503) 378-6246, or dustin.e.buehler@oregon.gov.
Kimberly, Jayme
Matusko, Amie
Riedel, Mike
Recent Appointments
Governor Kate Brown Appoints Judges to the Lane County Circuit Court
(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown announced today that she will appoint two judges to positions on the Lane County Circuit Court. Governor Brown will appoint Michelle Bassi to a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Charles Carlson (Position 2), and Beatrice Grace to a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Lauren Holland (Position 11). Both appointments are effective immediately.
“Michelle Bassi and Beatrice Grace are skilled lawyers with impeccable qualifications that match exactly what the Lane County Circuit Court needs right now,” said Governor Brown. “For years, both women have served their community with compassion and integrity, helping individuals navigate challenging circumstances. I have no doubt that Michelle and Beatrice will hit the ground running, ensuring that our justice system continues to serve people with fairness and equity.”
Michelle Bassi has been a civil litigator at the law firm of Thorp, Purdy, Jewett, Urness & Wilkinson in Springfield since 2013 and a partner since 2018. Bassi’s practice focuses primarily on complex plaintiff-side civil litigation and, until 2019, she also represented criminal defendants in misdemeanor cases. Recently, she began conducting employment investigations and serving as a Decision-Maker for Title IX administrative cases. Bassi received her bachelor’s degree in art history from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, and her law degree from the University of Oregon. While in law school, she clerked for the Southern Environmental Law Center and Earthjustice. After graduation, Bassi clerked for Judge Douglas Mitchell and Judge Josephine Mooney on the Lane County Circuit Court and then served as a public defender for the Umpqua Valley Public Defender in Roseburg. Bassi also has been involved in her community, including serving on the board of the Springfield Education Foundation, the Oregon Law School Alumni Association, the Lane County Bar Association, and the Oregon Elder Abuse Prevention Work Group. She is a member of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and American Association for Justice.
Beatrice Grace is currently a civil litigator who represents plaintiffs in personal injury and medical malpractice cases. She received her registered nursing degree in 1991, and was an emergency room nurse for over 20 years. While working as a nurse and raising her two young children as a single mother, Grace attended law school and obtained her law degree from the University of Oregon. Immediately after, she clerked for Judge Mustafa Kasubhai when he was on the Lane County bench. Grace worked at a Eugene civil rights and injury litigation firm before returning to clerk for Judge Kasubhai and assist him with establishing his chambers after he was appointed as a U.S. Magistrate Judge. Grace then continued her work as a plaintiff’s lawyer in Eugene, drawing on her nursing, judicial clerk, and litigation experience to again represent injured individuals. In addition to her legal work, Grace has volunteered her time with the Trauma Healing Project Board, the Campaign for Equal Justice, and is a member of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and Oregon Women Lawyers.
Governor Kate Brown Appoints Miranda Summer to the Washington County Circuit Court
(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown announced today that she will appoint Beaverton Municipal Court Judge Miranda S. Summer to the Washington County Circuit Court. Summer will fill the Washington County vacancy created by Judge Ramón Pagán’s recent elevation to the Oregon Court of Appeals. Her appointment is effective immediately.
“Miranda Summer is a talented and compassionate judge, who has earned the respect of litigants and lawyers alike,” Governor Brown said. “She brings an invaluable set of professional and lived experiences to the bench, and will serve the people of Washington County well.”
Summer currently serves as a judge on the Beaverton Municipal Court, where she adjudicates criminal and traffic violation cases. She also has served as a pro tem judge on the Washington County Circuit Court and as an administrative law judge for the Office of Administrative Hearings. Previously, Summer practiced as a family law attorney, representing individuals in domestic relations and dependency cases. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Regis University, and her law degree from the University of Oregon.
In addition to her judicial experience and legal practice, Summer is involved in her community and the bar. Among other things, she currently serves on the boards of the Washington County Bar Association and the Oregon Minority Lawyers Association, and has served as a member of the Oregon State Bar’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Summer was interviewed and fully vetted last year by the Governor’s Office and the local bar association as a finalist for Governor Brown’s most recent judicial appointment on the Washington County Circuit Court.