All of the judges running in Multnomah County in November 2022 are unopposed. However, the League of Women Voters believes that voters deserve to know about qualifications of all candidates and the principles that guide their decisions. The information copied here is from VOTE411.org and from the official Oregon Judicial Department, Oregon State Courts website and the Multnomah Bar Association.
Judge of the Court of Appeals, Position 10
Kristina Hellman
Kristina Hellman did not answer the VOTE411 questions, but she did submit a statement that is printed on page 58 of the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet. Her Voters’ Pamphlet statement provides her background/qualifications and the ideals by which she serves. Her bio on the Oregon State Courts website says:
“The Honorable Kristina Hellman was appointed to the Court of Appeals in 2022 by Governor Kate Brown. Prior to her service on the Court, Judge Hellman practiced law for nineteen years at the Federal Public Defender’s Office where she had the privilege to represent countless individuals charged with and convicted of crimes. Her practice focused on federal habeas corpus cases in which Oregon prisoners challenged their state convictions on federal constitutional grounds. At the time of her appointment to the bench, Judge Hellman supervised the habeas corpus group. Judge Hellman started her legal career as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Edward C. Reed, Jr., United States District Judge for the District of Nevada. She received her BS from the University of Michigan and her JD from Georgetown Law School. Judge Hellman loves animals, art, and the outdoors. She enjoys working with and mentoring younger lawyers. Judge Hellman is passionate about the Oregon traditions of collegiality and excellence in the legal profession. She is honored to continue her career in public service on the bench and is committed to just, fair, and correct outcomes for all people with cases before the Court.”
Judge of the Court of Appeals, Position 11
Anna M. Joyce
Anna Joyce did not answer the VOTE411 questions and chose not to submit a statement for the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet. Her bio on the Oregon State Courts website says:
“Prior to being appointed to the Court of Appeals, Joyce was a shareholder at the Markowitz Herbold law firm in Portland. Her practice focused on complex civil litigation motions and appeals, and she served as the managing shareholder. She argued hundreds of appeals before Oregon’s appellate courts and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and briefed cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Before joining the Markowitz firm, Joyce practiced in the Appellate Division of the Oregon Department of Justice from 2003 to 2015, and served as Oregon’s Solicitor General. Joyce has taught appellate advocacy at Lewis & Clark Law School, is a mentor for the Oregon State Bar New Lawyer Mentoring Program, and serves on the board of directors for Outside In. Joyce began her legal career as a law clerk for Oregon Court of Appeals Judge Rives Kistler. She is a native Oregonian and received both her bachelor’s degree and her J.D. from the University of Oregon.”
Judge of the Circuit Court, 4th District, Position 3
Jacqueline L. Alarcon
Jacqueline Alarcon did not answer the VOTE411 questions, but she did submit a statement that is printed on page 58 of the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet. Her Voters’ Pamphlet statement provides her background and qualifications and judicial philosophy. An excerpt from the news release about her appointment to the Circuit Court includes some other information.
Jacqueline L. Alarcón
“Jackie Alarcón’s professional and lived experiences, paired with her commitment to lifting up the underserved in our community, make her an ideal addition to the Multnomah County family law bench,” Governor Brown said. “Jackie’s extensive legal experience and commitment to Oregon will allow her to serve her community well.”
Alarcón was born in Los Angeles and was raised in El Salvador until high school. She earned both her bachelor’s degree and her law degree from Willamette University. She began her legal career practicing family law with the Hohbach Law Firm, and then joined the Yates Family Law Firm, where she is currently a partner. In addition to her law practice, Alarcón has served as a pro tem judge in Washington and Multnomah County Circuit Courts. Active in her community, Alarcón serves as president of the Multnomah Bar Association and president of Oregon Women Lawyers. She is a board member of Basic Rights Oregon and Familias en Acción, and has volunteered with Latino Network.
Judge of the Circuit Court, 4th District, Position 8
Celia Howes
Celia Howes did not answer the VOTE411 questions, but she did submit a statement that is printed on page 59 of the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet. Her Voters’ Pamphlet statement provides her background and qualifications and judicial philosophy.
Judge of the Circuit Court, 4th District, Position 37
Jenna R. Plank
Jenna Plank’s answers to the VOTE411 questions are copied below. She also submitted a statement that is printed on page 59 of the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet. Her Voters’ Pamphlet statement provides her background and qualifications and judicial philosophy. Her values are also shown in the answers below.