Judge of the Supreme Court: Position 1

Statement

Judge of the Supreme Court: Position 1

Thomas A. Balmer
Nonpartisan

OCCUPATION: Associate Justice, Oregon Supreme Court

OCCUPATIONAL BACKGROUND: Attorney in private practice; managing partner of law firm; Oregon Deputy Attorney General; U.S. Department of Justice trial attorney; maintenance painter; mailroom clerk

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: Portland, Oregon Public Schools; B.A. with High Honors in Government, Oberlin College (1974); J.D., University of Chicago Law School (1977)

PRIOR GOVERNMENTAL EXPERIENCE: Deputy Attorney General, Oregon Department of Justice (1993-97); Trial Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice (1979-80)

"Balmer's selection strengthens and broadens the court."
The Oregonian, October 5, 2001

Retain Justice Tom Balmer on Oregon's Supreme Court

When Governor Kitzhaber appointed Tom Balmer to Oregon's Supreme Court, he chose a person with experience, integrity and deep roots in Oregon.

Experience

Judge Tom Balmer has hands-on experience in the public and private sector and in key areas the Supreme Court will be dealing with in coming years. He has tried jury cases, argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, advised individual and business clients on a wide variety of matters, and counseled elected and government leaders on constitutional and public law issues. As Deputy Attorney General, he argued criminal, election and constitutional law cases in Oregon and Federal courts. And Tom Balmer's reputation as a thoughtful scholar and a practical problem-solver is well known. Rarely has someone come to the Court with such broad, well-rounded experience and widespread respect.

"...a welcome addition to the Oregon Supreme Court."
Bend Bulletin ­ September 13, 2001

Part of the Community

Tom Balmer can represent our communities on the Supreme Court because he is part of the community. He has served as a volunteer for Legal Aid, the Classroom Law Project, local arts and parks organizations, and the Goose Hollow Family Shelter.

Broad, Bi-Partisan Support

It is a mark of Tom Balmer's fairness and integrity that he has won support from across the political spectrum and from all parts of the legal profession.

"Tom Balmer will be a great justice for Oregon."
Mark Hatfield and Neil Goldschmidt

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