Governor Kulongoski has appointed Suzanne Chanti to the Lane County Circuit Court. Details available here.
Governor Kulongoski has appointed Dale Penn to the Marion County Circuit Court to fill the seat vacated by former judge Lynn Ashcroft. Details available here.
Governor Kulongoski has appointed Eric Butterfield to the Washington County Circuit Court. Details available here.
Court of Appeals
Governor Announces Appointment to Oregon Court of Appeals
Governor Announces Appointment to Oregon Court of Appeals
(Salem) – Governor Ted Kulongoski today announced his appointment of Rebecca Duncan to the Oregon Court of Appeals. Ms. Duncan will fill the vacancy created by Judge Walter Edmonds’ retirement.
“Rebecca Duncan is an outstanding appellate lawyer with significant criminal and constitutional law experience, making her eminently qualified to serve on the Court of Appeals,” said Governor Kulongoski. “Her familiarity with the volume and substance of the work before this court means she can hit the ground running and make immediate and meaningful contributions to one of the hardest working courts in the country.”
Ms. Duncan received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. During law school, she worked in criminal law, in both prosecution and defense roles. She also worked at the State Department’s Office of the Legal Adviser in Washington, D.C. for the Office of Law Enforcement and Intelligence.
After law school, Ms. Duncan served as a trial attorney with the Metropolitan Public Defender in both Washington and Multnomah counties. Since 2000, she has served in the Appellate Division of the Office of Public Defense Services, where she regularly practices before the Oregon Supreme Court and Oregon Court of Appeals.
Ms. Duncan currently holds the position of Assistant Chief Defender in the Office of Public Defense Services. She also serves on the Executive Committee of the Oregon State Bar’s Criminal Law Section and frequently speaks at continuing legal education programs on the topics of appellate law and criminal law.
Circuit Courts
Recent Appointments
Governor Announces Lane County Circuit Court Vacancy
(Salem) – Governor Ted Kulongoski today announced the appointment of Suzanne Chanti to the Lane County Circuit Court. Chanti will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Gregory Foote which was effective January 1, 2010.
“Suzanne is an incredibly bright, engaging and energetic person who will be a tremendous asset to the Lane County bench,” said Governor Kulongoski. “Her respect for people of all backgrounds and tireless work ethic will make her an extraordinary judge.”
Chanti received her degree from the University of Oregon Law School in 1988 and holds an undergraduate degree from Southern Oregon University. Currently a shareholder and president of the Lane County firm Chanti and Middleton, PC, Chanti has practiced law in Eugene for over twenty years. Chanti comes to the bench with a diverse legal experience having represented individuals, corporations and cities in a variety of complex matters.
Chanti currently serves on the board of the Oregon State Bar’s Professional Liability Fund. She is a past member of the Oregon Disability Commission and board member of Mobility International USA, a non-profit that advocates for the rights of the disabled throughout the world.
Governor Kulongoski Announces Judicial Appointment in Marion County
Salem – Today Governor Kulongoski announced the appointment of Dale Penn to the Marion Circuit Court. Penn will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Lynn Ashcroft earlier this month.
“Dale Penn has an unparalleled history of service for the people of Marion County,” said Governor Ted Kulongoski. “His outstanding record as a public official, private attorney and community leader, and his commitment to upholding the integrity of the law, uniquely qualify Penn to serve as a Marion County Circuit Court Judge.”
Mr. Penn has served as the Director of the Oregon Lottery since 2004. Penn was in his sixth term as Marion County District Attorney when the Governor appointed him to oversee the Oregon Lottery. Penn was awarded the Marion County Bar Association Professionalism Award in 2003 and was appointed to the Professional Responsibility Committee for Marion County by the Oregon State Bar in 2009.
Mr. Penn received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Oregon in 1976. Prior to attending law school, Penn served on active duty in the United States Army from 1971 to 1973 and was named National Soldier of the Year for the 5th US Army in 1972.
Governor Appoints Eric Butterfield to Washington County Circuit Court
(Salem)— Today Governor Kulongoski announced the appointment of Eric Butterfield to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Mark Gardner. He will start in his new position on the court March 1, 2010.
“Eric Butterfield’s commitment to public service, life experience and extensive legal knowledge will be a tremendous value to the Washington County Circuit Court,” Governor Kulongoski said. “I am very pleased to appoint a lawyer who has earned such a stellar reputation with judges, prosecutors, public defenders, other attorneys and law enforcement in Washington County. I believe his service on the bench will be an asset to the people of the State of Oregon for many years to come.”
Mr. Butterfield received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Washington and his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Willamette University College of Law in Salem. He serves as a Chief Attorney at the Washington County Office of Metropolitan Public Defenders in Hillsboro.
During his legal career, Mr. Butterfield also practiced with the Federal Public Defender and with the firm Baumann & Hull in Guam. Mr. Butterfield served in the United States Marines Corps Reserve as a Sergeant from 1988 to 1994, and served active duty in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during the first Gulf War.