(7/31/26) Salem, OR — Today, Governor Tina Kotek announced that Judge Bethany P. Flint announced her retirement from the Deschutes County Bench effective July 31, 2026. The Governor thanks Judge Flint for her service. This position will be on the November ballot.
(8/14/26) 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 Tina Kotek's Office, Richard Lane, (503) 378-6246, or richard.lane@oregon.gov.
(6/23/26) 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 Tina Kotek's Office, Richard Lane, (503) 378-6246, or richard.lane@oregon.gov.
(6/5/26) 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 Tina Kotek's Office, Richard Lane, (503) 378-6246, or richard.lane@oregon.gov.
(2/12/26) Governor Tina Kotek announced today that Judge Nan Waller and Amy Holmes Hehn have announced their retirement from the Multnomah County bench May 1 and June 1, respectively. The Governor thanks both judges for their service. Both of these positions will be on the May primary ballot. The filing deadline is March 10, 2026.
(8/7/26) – Salem, OR – Governor Tina Kotek announced that she has appointed Kara A. Brooks to the Clackamas County Circuit Court. Ms. Brooks will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Katherine E. Weber. Her appointment is effective immediately.
Kara Brooks received her juris doctorate from the Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland. She currently serves on the Oregon Board of Parole & Post-Prison Supervision. Previously, Ms. Brooks served in the Clackamas County District Attorney's Office and has experience with mental health treatment courts, drug treatment courts, domestic violence prosecutions, and family law matters.
A photograph of Ms. Brooks can be found here.
(8/3/26) – Salem, OR – Governor Tina Kotek announced that she has appointed Sonia A. Montalbano to the Multnomah County Circuit Court. Ms. Montalbano will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Leslie B. Bottomly. Her appointment is effective immediately.
Sonia Montalbano is an experienced civil litigator who focuses on employment and business law, as well as other areas of civil litigation. Ms. Montalbano has deep ties to Multnomah County and is active in the local community.
A photograph of Ms. Montalbano can be found here.
(6/22/26) Governor Tina Kotek announced today that she will appoint Nathan J. Lichvarcik to the Lane County Circuit Court Bench. Mr. Lichvarcik will fill the vacancy created by the upcoming resignation of Judge Debra K. Vogt. His appointment is effective August 1, 2026.
Nathan Lichvarcik is an experienced criminal law attorney with the United States Attorney's Office. He has worked in the Eugene office for the previous 14 years and has been the Branch Supervisor for the Eugene and Medford offices since 2020. Mr. Lichvarcik has also taught Trial Advocacy at the University of Oregon Law School for the last 10 years.
(1/15/26) Governor Tina Kotek announced that she will appoint J. Logan Joseph to the Union County Justice Court. Mr. Joseph will fill the judicial position created by the upcoming resignation date of Judge Rick Dall. His appointment is effective February 1, 2026.
Logan Joseph is an Oregon native who earned his juris doctorate degree from Willamette University. Mr. Joseph is an experienced general legal practitioner with an emphasis on criminal defense and he is active in his local community.
(1/5/26) Governor Tina Kotek announced that she will appoint Michelle S. Bartov to the Clackamas County Circuit Court. Ms. Bartov will fill the judicial position created by the passage of SB 95. Her appointment is effective January 1, 2026. Michelle Bartov is an experienced criminal defense attorney working as a member of the public defense consortium and as the deputy executive director of the Clackamas Indigent Defense Corporation.
A photograph of Ms. Bartov can be found here.
(1/5/26) Governor Tina Kotek announced that she will appoint Jessica E. May and Allison E. Knight to the Lane County Circuit Court. They will fill the two judicial positions created by the passage of SB 95. Their appointments are effective January 1, 2026. Jessica May is an experienced family law practitioner currently employed by Arnold Law in Eugene. Ms. May is a native Oregonian, has deep ties to Lane County, and is active in the local community. Allison Knight received her juris doctorate from the University of Oregon. She is currently the lead mental health attorney at Public Defenders Services of Lane County and is heavily involved in the community tackling mental health issues within Lane County and the State of Oregon.
A photograph of Ms. May can be found here.
A photograph of Ms. Knight can be found here.