Oregon Governor Appoints 2 New Judges to Serve in Portland Courts

The governor of Oregon, Tina Kotek, plans to nominate a distinguished judge who is also a fourth-generation resident of Portland for a position on the Multnomah County Circuit Court. Additionally, she intends to select a committed public defender for an available spot at the Clackamas County Circuit Court.

The newly named Multnomah County Judge, Elisa J. Dozono, will be well-known to those who have lived in Oregon for a long time.

Dozono, 54, served as a representative of Portland Mayor Vera Katz For six years during the 1990s, she became a partner at the leading Miller Nash law firm in 2012 and received the title of chairperson of the Oregon Lottery Commission The next year, she began her professional journey as a news producer at KATU-TV.

Since 2018, she has been functioning as a provisional judge in Washington County, and she holds the distinction of being the first Japanese American to sit on a trial court within the tri-county area, as stated by the governor’s office.

During World War II, the U.S. government detained numerous members of her family, such as her grandfather and great-grandfather, because of their Japanese heritage. Her father, Sho Dozono, unsuccessfully ran for Portland mayor in 2008.

“My family has roots in this area, and I've had many personal experiences with civil rights that have influenced who I am," she stated, noting that her aim as a judge is "to enhance the connection between communities and the court system."

Dozono will assume the position left vacant by Judge Thomas Ryan, starting right away. Among more than 20 candidates, she was one of them. applicants for the job.

Cierra D. Brown will assume her role in Clackamas County starting July 1. Over the last ten years, she has gained experience as a defense lawyer at both the Metro Law Group and the public defense consortium located in Oregon City.

Brown, who is 40 years old, began her professional journey in juvenile corrections and therapeutic foster care in Reno, Nevada. Following her legal education and admission to practice law, she concentrated on behavioral health issues and cases representing individuals unable to afford private counsel. In this capacity, she has held the position of chair multiple times. LGBT Bar Association from Oregon and has served as a municipal judge in Beaverton, West Linn, and Lake Oswego.

I have always pursued careers in public service," Brown stated. "It has been crucial for me to stay on this path and undertake endeavors that will ideally bring pride to the county and benefit the state of Oregon.

Brown will be the first person to occupy the newly authorized 11th seat on the Clackamas County bench. She won out among 15 applicants .

In Oregon, judges are officially elected; however, many choose to retire before their term ends, which gives the governor an opportunity to appoint replacements. These newly appointed incumbents often face little competition during subsequent elections.

The yearly compensation for circuit judges amounts to $174,000.

—Zane Sparling reports on breaking news and court stories for The Oregonian/OregonLive. You can contact him at 503-319-7083. zsparling@oregonian.com or @pdxzane .

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