Washington County has seen the appointment of its new legal head with Alex Barnett stepping into the role of County Counsel. Beginning on June 8, 2025, Barnett will succeed Deputy County Counsel Cortney Duke-Driessen, who has been filling the position on an interim basis since August of last year, according to an announcement from Washington County.
The decision came at the end of a national search helmed by Heather Gantz from the Novak Consulting Group. Barnett is transitioning from a post as an attorney with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps in Washington, D.C., where his duties included serving as a legislative counsel and as a liaison to Congress for the U.S. Department of the Army.
In a statement, Washington County Board of Commissioners Chair Kathryn Harrington praised Barnett for his extensive experience. “Our board was impressed by Alex’s range of experience and intellect, as well as his military service and experience managing an important and substantial law office while deployed overseas. We are thrilled that Alex has decided to join our Washington County organization,” Harrington said, as per the county's annoucement.
Barnett's background encompasses not just legal counsel but also on-the-ground military service; before pursuing law, he was an Army field artillery officer and deployed to Baghdad for 15 months from 2007 to 2008. He holds a bachelor's in history cum laude from Oregon State University and earned his law degree from Willamette University. He is also a member of the Oregon State Bar Association. Expressing his enthusiasm for the new position, Barnett stated, “I am honored to have been selected as the Washington County Counsel and am excited to join a dedicated team of professionals committed to serving the people of Washington County. I sincerely appreciate the trust the board has placed in me, and I look forward to contributing to the continued success of our community,” he told Washington County.
The Office of County Counsel is responsible for providing legal services to the county government and its related agencies, with an annual budget of $4.7 million and a full-time staff equivalent of 15 positions. As the new County Counsel, Barnett will oversee legal advice to not only the Board of County Commissioners, but also a range of entities from the County Administrative Office to the Sheriff’s Office and Cooperative Library Services.
