Oregon Judicial Vacancies
OREGON CIRCUIT COURTS
RECENT VACANCIES
On May 23, 2018, Governor Brown announced that she is accepting applications for a judicial vacancy on the Jackson County Circuit Court created by the planned retirement of Judge Patricia Crain. Details available here.
RECENT APPOINTMENTS
On June 29, 2018, Governor Brown announced she will appoint Todd Van Rysselberghe to the Clackamas County Circuit Court. Mr. Van Rysselberghe will fill the vacancy created by Judge Robert D. Herndon’s retirement, which takes effect June 30, 2018. Details available here.
On August 15, 2018, Governor Brown announced she will appoint Debra Velure to the Lane County Circuit Court. Ms. Velure will fill the vacancy created by Judge Karsten H. Rasmussen’s retirement. Her appointment is effective immediately. Details available here.
On May 22, 2018, Governor Brown announced she will appoint Mona K. Williams to the Union/Wallowa County Circuit Court. Ms. Williams will fill the vacancy created by Judge Russell B. West’s retirement, which takes effect May 31, 2018. Details available here.
Circuit Courts - Recent Vacancies
Jackson County Circuit Court Vacancy
(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown announced that she is accepting applications for a judicial vacancy on the Jackson County Circuit Court, which will be created by the planned retirement of Judge Patricia Crain. The Governor thanked Judge Crain for her dedicated judicial service, and announced that she will fill the position by appointment. Judge Crain’s retirement takes effect August 31, 2018.
The following candidates have submitted materials to the Governor’s Office for the Lane County Circuit Court vacancy. Comments on any of the candidates can be made to General Counsel at Governor Kate Brown’s Office, Misha Isaak, (503) 378-6246, or misha.isaak@oregon.gov.
Cromwell, Laura
Kochlacs, Charles
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.
Circuit Courts — Recent Appointments
Governor Brown Appoints Todd Van Rysselberghe to Clackamas County Circuit Court
(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown today announced that she will appoint Todd L. Van Rysselberghe to the Clackamas County Circuit Court. Mr. Van Rysselberghe will fill the vacancy created by Judge Robert D. Herndon’s retirement, which takes effect June 30, 2018. The appointment is effective immediately thereafter.
“Todd Van Rysselberghe’s extensive experience in family law, his passion for serving Clackamas County, and his judicial temperament will serve him well as a circuit court judge,” Governor Brown said. “Given his skills and experience, including years of service as a volunteer pro tem judge, I have no doubt that Todd will serve the people of Clackamas County well.”
For nearly thirty years, Mr. Van Rysselberghe practiced as a litigator at Kennedy Watts Arellano LLP, specializing in domestic relations matters. He previously clerked for Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Stephen Herrell, after earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon and his law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School.
In recent years, Mr. Van Rysselberghe has volunteered as a circuit court judge pro tem in Clackamas County, assisting the court with its juvenile drug court, attendance court, and domestic relations motion docket. He also has served as a pro tem judge in Multnomah County Circuit Court.
Governor Brown Appoints Debra Velure to Lane County Circuit Court
(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown today announced that she will appoint Debra E. Velure to the Lane County Circuit Court. Ms. Velure will fill the vacancy created by Judge Karsten H. Rasmussen’s retirement. Her appointment is effective immediately.
“Debra Velure brings a wealth of civil litigation experience, an even-keeled approach, and a deep commitment to her community,” Governor Brown said. “I am so pleased that she is willing to serve the people of Lane County in her new role as circuit court judge.”
Ms. Velure is a trial attorney in the Law Office of Julie D. Elkins, where she represents Farmers Insurance. During her twenty-five year legal career, Ms. Velure has litigated a wide range of matters, including personal injury cases, tort claims, complex business litigation, and employment law issues. She also served as a pro tem judge for the Lane County Circuit Court from 2014 to 2016. Ms. Velure earned her bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University, and her law degree from the University of Oregon.
In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Velure has been active in professional and community activities. She is past president of Oregon Women Lawyers, was a member of the City of Eugene’s Civilian Review Board, and currently serves on the Oregon State Bar’s Local Disciplinary Board and Board of Accountancy.
Union/Wallowa County, 10th Judicial District Circuit Court Appointment
(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown today announced that she will appoint Wallowa County District Attorney Mona K. Williams to the position of Circuit Judge on Oregon’s Tenth Judicial District, which encompasses Union and Wallowa Counties. Ms. Williams will fill the vacancy created by Judge Russell B. West’s retirement, which takes effect May 31, 2018. Her appointment is effective immediately thereafter. She is the first woman to serve as a circuit judge in Union and Wallowa Counties.
“Mona Williams has devoted her professional career to serving the people of northeast Oregon,” Governor Brown said. “I am so grateful that she is once again willing to answer the call and serve her community and our state, this time as a circuit court judge.”
A native of Wallowa County, Ms. Williams graduated from Joseph High School before earning her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Oregon University and her law degree from the University of Idaho. Ms. Williams practiced law for several years as a sole practitioner in Wallowa County. Since 2007, she has served as the Wallowa County District Attorney.
In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Williams has served the local bar as well. She is a past president of the Wallowa County Bar Association, and a past chair of the Union/Wallowa Local Professional Responsibility Committee.