Circuit Courts

Governor Announces Jefferson and Crook County Circuit Court Vacancy

Governor Announces Jefferson and Crook County Circuit Court Vacancy
Judge Neilson will retire from Jefferson and Crook County circuit bench

Salem— Governor Ted Kulongoski announced today he is accepting applications for the Twenty-Second Judicial District covering the Jefferson and Crook County Circuit Courts due to the retirement of Judge George W. Neilson.

The Governor thanked Judge Neilson for his service to Jefferson and Crook County and said he will fill the position by appointment. Judge Neilson’s retirement takes effect on December 31, 2010.

Attorneys interested in filling the position must submit an Interest Form for Judicial Appointments to the Governor’s office by 4:00 p.m. on August 31, 2010. Interested applicants should mail or deliver their forms to:  Joseph O’Leary, General Counsel, Office of the Governor, 900 Court Street NE, Salem, OR 97301-4047.

Governor Kulongoski fills judicial vacancies based on merit. He encourages applications from lawyers with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. ORS 3.041 and 3.050 provide the statutory requirements for the position of circuit court judge.

For additional information, contact Mary Hamilton (503.378.6246). The Interest Form for Judicial Appointments is available online at www.governor.oregon.gov.

If you have questions about the Governor’s process, please contact the Governor’s Office directly. If you have questions or comments about the Oregon State Bar’s process, please contact Danielle Edwards at dedwards@osbar.org or 1-800-452-8260, ext. 426.

Recent Appointments

Governor Announces Lane County Circuit Court Appointment

(Salem) – Governor Ted Kulongoski today announced the appointment of Ilisa Rooke-Ley to the Lane County Circuit Court. Judge Rooke-Ley will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Kip Leonard which is effective May 1, 2010.

“Ilisa is a thoughtful, intelligent and passionate lawyer who will bring tremendous energy to the bench,” said Governor Kulongoski. “The dedication she brings to public service in the legal profession and her tireless commitment to her community will be a benefit to the people of Lane County and across Oregon.”

Rooke-Ley received her J.D. from Nova Southeastern University Law School in 1989 and holds an undergraduate degree from William Smith College. Rooke-Ley has practiced law in Eugene for the last fifteen years, primarily as a staff attorney with Public Defender Services of Lane County, where she most recently worked representing children and parents in juvenile court. Prior to becoming a lawyer, she worked as a high school teacher.

She currently serves on the boards of the Relief Nursery of Eugene, a non-profit dedicated to assisting at-risk families and preventing child abuse, as well as Sponsors Lane County, a non-profit organization that provides re-entry services in the county. Rooke-Ley also serves as an appointed member of the Governor's Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission.