Clackamas County Circuit Judge Douglas Van Dyk — one of 10 jurists serving in the county’s 5th Judicial District and the second-longest serving judge behind Robert Herndon — has announced he will retire at the end of April after 18 years on the bench.
Van Dyk first joined the court in 2002, after 17 years in business litigation private practice at the Portland firms of Jordan Schrader (1996-2002), Foster Popper & Shefelman (1989-96) and Dunn Carney Allen Higgins & Tongue (1986-89).
He earned his degree in law from the Case Western Reserve School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1985.
Governor Kate Brown announced the imminent vacancy in a press release last week, in which she also thanked Judge Van Dyk for his dedicated judicial service and announced that she will fill the position by appointment.
Judge Van Dyk’s retirement takes effect on April 30, 2021.
Interested applicants should mail their completed application forms to Dustin Buehler, General Counsel, Office of the Governor, 900 Court Street NE #254, Salem, OR 97301-4047. Forms must be received by 5 p.m. Monday, March 22.
Forms emailed by 5 p.m. on the closing date will be considered timely so long as original signed forms postmarked by the closing date are later received.
The governor said she fills judicial vacancies based on merit and encouraged applications from lawyers with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.
Under Oregon law, candidates must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of Oregon, a member of the Oregon State Bar and must be residents of or have principal offices in the 5th Judicial District.
The seat will be up for election again in May 2022, when Judge Van Dyk’s current term is set to expire. Oregon state judges — whether they serve on the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals or a circuit court — are all chosen in the same way: nonpartisan elections every six years.
For questions or to request an interest form, contact Shevaun Gutridge at 503-378-6246 or shevaun.gutridge@oregon.gov.