This section includes some Willamette Law graduates recently appointed to, elected to or retired from judicial positions, although it is not a comprehensive list. Many Willamette Law alumni serve or have served in judicial positions across the country.
Brigadier General and Judge Daniel Hill JD’86 retired from his position in the military in June 2021 after earning several awards and serving for 33 years, mainly with the Oregon National Guard. Judge Hill has also been a circuit court judge for Umatilla and Morrow Counties, which he plans to continue doing.
Gov. Kate Brown appointed Jodie Bureta JD’03 to the Marion County Circuit Court effective March 11, 2021. She previously served as a full-time hearings referee in Marion County. She has more than 17 years of experience spanning both criminal and civil law.
Kelly Kritzer JD’03 was appointed by Gov. Kate Brown to the Klamath County Circuit Court effective July 2021. Kritzer was the probate commissioner and law clerk for the Klamath and Lake County Circuit Courts.
In November 2020, Kelly Lemarr JD’03 won position five on the Washington County Circuit Court, where she had been a pro tem judge since 2018. For 12 years prior to being elected, she was a family attorney for Hillsboro’s St. Andrew Legal Clinic.
Judge Jessica Meyer JD’05 continues to serve as District 4A justice of the peace in Linn County, where she works as a judge in the Justice Court several days a month. She is a partner in the law firm Morley, Thomas & McHill in Lebanon.
Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald appointed Judge Karin L. Holma JD’89 to the District Court in September 2020. Holma had been a partner at Bays Lung Rose & Holma, where she practiced civil litigation.