Governor Tina Kotek announced today that she is accepting applications for a judicial vacancy on the Clackamas County Circuit Court created by the planned retirement of Judge Kathie F. Steele. Judge Steele’s retirement takes effect June 30, 2025. The Governor will fill the position by appointment.

Interested applicants 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 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 31, 2025.

Applicants that previously applied for the judicial position created by SB 1541 do not need to submit a second application to be considered for this vacancy. Governor Kotek will fill both vacancies from a single pool of applicants.

Governor Tina 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.

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