Today, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek put out the call for applications for a newly created judicial position in the Clackamas County Circuit Court, as confirmed by an official announcement. Following the signing of Senate Bill 1541 into law on March 27, 2024, the judicial landscape in Clackamas County is set for expansion, with the new position taking effect on July 1, 2025. Candidates for the role are required to submit their interest forms digitally in line with current protocols.
In her announcement released by the Governor's Office, Governor Kotek noted the significance of merit in filling judicial vacancies and encourages a diverse pool of applicants, including lawyers with a breadth of backgrounds and experiences. Keenly interested applicants have up until 5:00 p.m. on January 24, 2025, to send in their completed Circuit Court Judicial Interest Forms, exclusively by email to Shevaun Gutridge at [email protected], as waiting to be delivered by hand or snail mail, the deadline will pass you by.
The selection for this Clackamas County Circuit Court role is bound by Oregon law. Specifically, ORS 3.041 and 3.050 detail the prerequisites for potential judges: a successful candidate must not only be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Oregon but also a member of the Oregon State Bar. Additionally, there's a geographical constraint, as ORS 3.041(2) stipulates that the appointee must either be a resident of or maintain a principal office in the judicial district or an adjacent one.
Those interested in submitting or seeking more information can contact Shevaun Gutridge at 503-378-6246 or by email. Governor Kotek's administration encourages lawyers from diverse backgrounds to apply, aiming to ensure the bench reflects a wide range of experiences from the legal community..
