Salem, OR—Governor Kate Brown announced today that she is accepting applications for a judicial vacancy on the Multnomah County Circuit Court created by the planned retirement of Judge Eric Bloch. The Governor thanked Judge Bloch for his dedicated judicial service, and announced that she will fill the position by appointment. Judge Bloch’s retirement takes effect December 31, 2022.

Last year there were general bench vacancies on the Multnomah County Circuit Court, for which candidates were interviewed and vetted by the Governor’s Office and the Multnomah Bar Association. Applicants who already submitted interest forms as part of last year’s appointment process will be automatically considered for Judge Bloch’s position and need not apply again. A list of those applicants from the last Multnomah County general bench appointment process can be found on the Oregon State Bar’s judicial vacancy webpage .

Interested applicants who did not apply during last year’s judicial appointment process and who would like to be considered for Judge Bloch’s position should address their completed application forms to the General Counsel for the Office of the Governor, and email (no mail or hand delivery) those completed forms to Shevaun Gutridge at [email protected]. Forms must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 24, 2022.

Governor Kate Brown 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. SB 977, recently passed by the Legislature, creates a new requirement. It amends ORS 3.041 and requires that these vacancies must be filled by persons who are residents of or have principal offices in the judicial districts to which they are appointed or adjacent judicial districts.

For questions about the appointment process, or to request an interest form, contact Shevaun Gutridge at 503-378-6246 or [email protected].

The judicial interest form is also available online .