Governor Tina Kotek is on the hunt for qualified candidates to fill new judiciary shoes in Oregon. The state's top executive has flung open the doors to applications as she aims to staff up circuit courts in Washington and Jackson Counties, following her recent signing of Senate Bill 1541 into law, as per an announcement made earlier.

The freshly minted law, which landed on the governor's desk and received her signature on March 27, increases the number of judges, aiming to help these courts manage their caseloads effective July 1, and it's also set to add another position in Clackamas County come July 1, 2025, though that spot isn't up for grabs just yet. The state is steering clear of paper, as Richard A. Lane, General Counsel, Office of the Governor, demands that completed applications be emailed directly to Shevaun Gutridge at [email protected] before the clock strikes 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24, previous applicants need not rest easy since they have to reapply to be considered.

Not just any suit will fit for these seats, as Kotek's office is looking for contenders with varying backgrounds and expertise. This deliberate move mirrors the governor's merit-based approach to picking judges. Candidates must meet several criteria spelled out by Oregon law, including U.S. citizenship, Oregon residency, and membership in the Oregon State Bar, in conjunction with a residency requirement for the judicial district or an adjacent one.

The billowing sails of this judicial expansion reflect a broader intent to diversify and enhance the bench's capacity to serve justice in Oregon, for anyone with inquiries or those needing to snag an interest form for the job can ring up Shevaun Gutridge at 503-378-6246, or email her at her given government address; the form is also up for grabs on the web at the state's official site.