Governor Tina Kotek announced today that she is accepting applications for judicial vacancies on the Washington and Jackson County Circuit Courts. These vacancies are created by the passage of Senate Bill 1541, which the Governor signed into law on March 27, 2024.
Senate Bill 1541 adds judicial positions to Washington and Jackson Counties, effective July 1, 2024. The law also creates an additional judicial position in Clackamas County, effective July 1, 2025. The Governor’s Office is currently only accepting applications for the Washington and Jackson County Circuit Court seats and will conduct an application and screening process for the new Clackamas County position at a later date.
Interested applicants for the new Washington and Jackson County positions should address their completed application forms to Richard A. Lane, 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 PM on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Applicants who have previously applied for appointment to the Jackson and Washington County Circuit Courts must reapply if they wish to be considered for these new positions.
Governor Kotek fills judicial vacancies based on merit. She encourages applications from lawyers with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.
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. In addition, ORS 3.041(2) requires the vacancy to be filled by a person who is a resident of or has a principal office in the judicial district or an adjacent judicial district.
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.
Source: Oregon Governor's Office