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The judges of the Clackamas County Circuit Court welcome applications from attorneys interested in serving as a volunteer pro tem judge. Pro tem judges will hear cases one to two days per month at our Oregon City courthouse and typically preside over civil or family law matters. 

Ideal applicants will have significant experience handling cases in state or federal court or before administrative agencies. They will possess excellent legal and communication skills, the ability to work well with people from a range of backgrounds, and a commitment to treating all court participants with dignity. It is not a prerequisite that applicants live or work in Clackamas County.

The court particularly encourages applications from attorneys who have experience handling complex civil matters, discovery issues, review of administrative agency decisions, or family disputes involving protective orders. 

To be considered for appointment, please complete and submit the application: https://www.courts.oregon.gov/forms/Documents/ProTemApplicationForm.pdf. Please deliver the application, together with a resume and cover later, by no later than May 11, 2026, to Court Manager Gina Setter. You may submit applications via email or regular mail.

Gina Setter
Court Manager
Clackamas County Circuit Court
1000 Courthouse Road 
Oregon City, OR 97045
gina.l.setter@ojd.state.or.us

The court will complete an application review process and then make appointment recommendations to the Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. The Chief makes all appointment decisions.
 

There will be three judicial vacancies on the ballot this spring for the Multnomah County Circuit Court as a result of Judge Nan Waller (4th District, Position 2), Judge Christopher Marshall (4th District, Position 5), and Judge Amy Holmes Hehn (4th District, Position 14) transitioning to senior status in 2026. These positions will be filled by election, not gubernatorial appointment.

The candidate elected to Position 14 will be assigned to the court’s family law docket; the candidates elected to Position 2 and Position 5 will be assigned to the court’s general bench docket (civil and criminal). Therefore, interested candidates should be sure to file for the appropriate position.

Candidates must file to run for election no later than March 10. Candidate Statements for the County Voters' Pamphlet are due by March 12.

ORS 3.041 and 3.050 provide that at the time the person becomes a candidate for election, 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.

YLS Membership Committee is proud to partner with the Q Center to support its Gender Affirming Closet, a project that provides free, affirming clothing to trans and gender diverse community members. This effort helps individuals access professional attire for job interviews, internships, and career opportunities. Everyone deserves to show up as their authentic self with confidence.

We are collecting new or gently used professional clothing, especially larger sizes, along with new socks and underwear. Your donations will help promote inclusion and equitable access to employment resources in our community. 

Collection dates:

January 1st-February 28

Clothes Drop-Off Location

The Q Center (4115 N Mississippi Ave Suite D, Portland) or
Lee Ohlman Law Office (208 SW 1st Ave Suite 360, Portland)

Questions?

For item donation questions, please reach out to the Q Center. For drop-off location questions, please reach out to Nicky, nicky@leeohlmannlaw.com

The Multnomah Bar Association’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee seeks to foster and expand diversity in the Multnomah County legal community and the state of Oregon. To achieve this goal, the committee awards scholarships for LSAT preparation courses to law school applicants whose future involvement in the law will enhance the diversity of our bench and bar.

The application is open to any law school applicant now attending college in the state of Oregon or Vancouver, Washington, or who has other substantial ties to the state of Oregon. Individuals must also demonstrate a commitment to foster and expand diversity and inclusion in the Oregon legal community. 
2026 Application | 2026 Cover Letter
 
The scholarship committee will consider applications on an ongoing basis. However, applicants should submit the application by Friday, March 20, 2026, to ensure consideration. Applicants should email their completed applications to mbalsat@mbabar.org or send them by regular mail to:
 
MBA Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee/LSAT Scholarship
620 SW Fifth Ave., Suite 1220
Portland, OR  97204
 
Please feel free to contact the committee at mbalsat@mbabar.org with any questions or concerns. 

The MBA is seeking sponsors for WinterSmash being held on Saturday, February 21, 2026. This family-friendly event is an annual sellout that brings 250 people together for bowling at KingPins and raises money for the Multnomah Bar Foundation (CourtCare, CourtSupport and CourtConnect). 

Sponsorship details. 

The court invites feedback regarding the Proposed Supplementary Local Rules (SLRs) for the Fourth Judicial District, which may be found here. The official deadline has ended for public comment, but the court can still consider comments if the proposed changes are minor. 

If approved, the rules will become effective on February 1, 2026.

To share comments or questions with the court about these proposed changes, contact MUL.Public.Information@ojd.state.or.us by 5:00 p.m. on October 31. 

Note: This version of the SLRs replaces the document shared in the MBA’s July e-newsletter. 

Nomination forms are due October 31 to the MBA. You are strongly encouraged to nominate members who meet the criteria for the Diversity, Professionalism, Merit and Pro Bono awards. The awards will be presented at the MBA Annual Meeting and Dinner on May 20, 2026.

Former nominees may be re-nominated. To propose a nominee for any of this year’s award selection processes, please complete and return the nomination form(s) linked above or contact the MBA at mba@mbabar.org for more information.

Diversity Award
The MBA Diversity Award honors individual attorneys, legal employers, or other legal organizations that have shown a long-term commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the MBA and Multnomah County legal community.

Professionalism Award
The MBA Professionalism Award is awarded to an individual for the highest ethical standards and exemplary conduct in the practice of law and for making the practice of law more enjoyable.

Merit Award
The MBA Merit Award recognizes and honors those who have made significant recent contributions to the MBA's mission of promoting justice through service, education or leadership to the MBA, legal profession or community.

Pro Bono Awards
The Pro Bono Awards recognize lawyers who provide pro bono assistance to low-income and underserved members of our community to reduce barriers to justice and provide access to the legal system. Recipients are screened and selected by Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO)/Oregon Law Center (OLC)/MBA Pro Bono Committee.

On May 5, Governor Tina Kotek announced that she will appoint Adele Ridenour to the Multnomah County bench. Ms. Ridenour will fill the vacancy created by the upcoming resignation of Judge Beth Allen. Her appointment is effective July 1, 2025.

News release.

On April 25, Governor Tina Kotek announced that she will appoint Elisa Dozono and Cierra Brown to the Multnomah and Clackamas County benches, respectively. Elisa Dozono will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Tom Ryan. Her appointment is effective immediately. Cierra Brown will fill the upcoming position created by the passage of SB 1541. Her appointment is effective July 1, 2025.

News Release

Remaining Sessions Available May 7-22

SOAR Immigration Legal Services has recently hosted several public clinics to advise and screen for individuals eligible to adjust refugee status to lawful permanent resident. SOAR is now seeking volunteers to assist with drafting adjustment forms at sessions hosted throughout April and May.

No background or expertise in immigration law is required to volunteer. SOAR will provide a video recorded training, covering the applicable sources of law and standards to prepare volunteers for drafting forms.

To assist with the large influx of cases SOAR has received, SOAR is asking that volunteers commit to 2-3 sessions - approximately 8-10 hours total.

VIEW AVAILABLE SESSIONS

SOAR hopes to have groups of 10-12 volunteers at the drafting sessions it hosts, so please note that sessions listed on the sign-up form may be canceled if volunteer numbers are low.

If you have any questions, please contact Noah Ashman (noah.ashman@millernash.com) and Faith O'Malley (faithomalleylaw@gmail.com) of the YLS Pro Bono Committee.