Oregon Judicial Vacancies
Recent Vacancies
Governor Brown Announces Morrow County Justice Court Vacancy
(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown announced today that she is accepting applications for a judicial vacancy on the Morrow County Justice Court created by the planned retirement of Judge Annetta Spicer. The Governor thanked Judge Spicer for her dedicated judicial service, and announced that she will fill the position by appointment. Judge Spicer’s retirement takes effect December 31, 2019.
The Governor’s office will use its standard Circuit Court Interest Form for this Justice Court vacancy. Interested applicants should mail or deliver their completed application forms to: Dustin Buehler, Deputy General Counsel, Office of the Governor, 900 Court Street NE, Suite 254, Salem, OR 97301-4047. Forms must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 28, 2019. Forms emailed by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date will be considered timely so long as original signed forms postmarked by the closing date are later received.
Governor Kate Brown fills judicial vacancies based on merit. She encourages applications from individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. ORS 51.240 sets forth the qualifications for office. Applicants should review the statute to confirm their eligibility for appointment.
To receive answers to 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.
Recent Appointments
Governor Brown Announces Judicial Appointments in Marion, Washington, Jackson and Deschutes Counties
(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown announced today that she will make four appointments to circuit court positions around the state: Manuel Perez in Marion County, Brandon M. Thompson in Washington County, Charles G. Kochlacs in Jackson County, and Alison M. Emerson in Deschutes County.
“These are four of the busiest and hardest-working circuit courts in the state,” Governor Brown said. “These attorneys have shown they can rise to the challenge. Each has earned a reputation for being a hard-working and fair-minded lawyer as they have worked to serve vulnerable populations in their communities.”
Manuel Perez, a hearings referee, will fill a new judicial position in Marion County. He has worked at the Marion County Circuit Court since November 2018. He was previously a criminal defense attorney representing indigent clients, first in Ontario, Oregon, and later in Salem. Perez began his career representing farmworkers at Oregon Legal Services in Ontario. He attended the University of Oregon School of Law and Boise State University. He has served as a board member of the Oregon Law Center and the Northwest Workers Justice Project. He also mentors young lawyers and referees high school wrestling competitions. He fills a new judicial position created by the Legislative Assembly last year.
Brandon M. Thompson, a civil litigator, will fill a vacancy in Washington County created by the resignation of Judge Danielle J. Hunsaker, who was appointed to the federal bench. Since 2012, Thompson has worked as a trial lawyer in workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. He previously worked in private practice representing criminal defendants and civil litigants. Thompson began his career as a prosecutor in District Attorney’s Offices in Multnomah and Polk Counties. He graduated from Lewis & Clark Law School and Fort Hays State University in Kansas. He has volunteered as a judge pro tempore in Washington County, served as a board member of the Washington County Bar Association, and is an engineer for the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad.
Charles G. Kochlacs, a juvenile dependency and delinquency lawyer, will fill a new judicial position in Jackson County. Since 1997, Kochlacs has been an attorney in private practice representing indigent clients in juvenile dependency and delinquency cases. He began his career as a criminal defense attorney at Jackson County Public Defender. He graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law and the University of California Santa Barbara. Kochlacs volunteers representing seasonal workers pro bono through Northwest Seasonal Workers. He has served as a board member of the organization Resolve and as president of the Criminal Law Section of the Oregon State Bar. He has also been a pack leader for a local Cub Scouts pack. He fills a new judicial position created by the Legislative Assembly last year.
Alison M. Emerson, an attorney in private practice, will fill a vacancy in Deschutes County created by the retirement of Judge Stephen P. Forte. Since 2007, Emerson has specialized in domestic relations cases and civil litigation. She was earlier a prosecutor in the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office. She received a law degree from Pepperdine University and a bachelor’s degree from Linfield College. Emerson has served as a board member for Friends of the Children – Central Oregon and has volunteered for Northwest Boxer Rescue and Watercup Counseling, which sponsors Miles for Mothers.
The appointments of Perez, Thompson, and Kochlacs are effective immediately. The appointment of Emerson is effective March 1.
Governor Brown Announces Judicial and District Attorney Appointments
(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown announced today that she will appoint Jacqueline S. Kamins to the Oregon Court of Appeals, Brendan J. Kane to the Linn County Circuit Court, Marcia L. Buckley to the Lincoln County Circuit Court, and Johnathan H. Cable to the position of District Attorney of Lincoln County. All four appointments are effective immediately.
“I am proud to elevate this group of talented attorneys to posts in courthouses around our state,” Governor Brown said. “These individuals bring experience from all corners of the legal profession: some have been prosecutors, others defense attorneys. They have litigated everything from family disputes to landlord-tenant cases, and will be well suited to administer equal justice under our laws.”
Jacqueline S. Kamins is an attorney at Markowitz Herbold PC. She fills a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Erika L. Hadlock. Kamins formerly practiced in the Multnomah County Attorney’s Office, served as a Senior Assistant Attorney General for the Oregon Department of Justice, and litigated civil matters as an attorney at Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP in Washington, D.C. She also served as a law clerk for Ninth Circuit Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw. She is a graduate of Columbia University and the University of Virginia School of Law. In addition to her legal practice, Kamins teaches as an adjunct law professor at Lewis & Clark Law School, and volunteers for the Dougy Center for Grieving Children and Families, Portland Homeless Family Solutions, and SMART (Start Making a Reader Today).
Brendan J. Kane is an attorney who represents children in juvenile delinquency court, and children and parents in juvenile dependency court in Albany. He fills a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge DeAnn L. Novotny. He formerly worked as a prosecutor in both Linn and Lincoln Counties. For five years, he managed his own firm representing clients in civil matters. Kane is a graduate of the University of Oregon School of Law and the University of California at Berkeley. Before college, Kane served in the United States Army and received the Combat Infantryman’s Badge for service in Panama.
Marcia L. Buckley is an attorney in private practice who focuses on domestic relations cases. She fills a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Paulette Sanders. Buckley earlier worked in the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office, where she served as the Chief Deputy District Attorney. She began her career in Portland enforcing child support judgments. Buckley completed both undergraduate studies and law school at Lewis & Clark. She is currently president of the Lincoln County Bar Association and a member of the Oregon State Bar Disciplinary Board. She has also been a board member of the Lincoln County Foundation and the Newport Rotary International Club and she has coached the mock trial team at Newport High School.
Jonathan H. Cable is a criminal defense attorney in Newport. He fills a vacancy created by the resignation of District Attorney Michelle Branam. Previously, for nine years, Cable was a prosecutor in the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office. He earlier worked as a prosecutor in Ohio, where he began his career. Cable is a graduate of the University of Toledo College of Law and Kent State University. He serves as a board member of Lincoln County Defenders and on the Uniform Criminal Jury Instruction Committee of the Oregon State Bar. In 2011, Cable received the Lincoln County Law Enforcement Recognition Award.