BY RACHEL CHEESEMAN

ALBANY- James “Jim” Egan of has been practicing law for over 20 years as a shareholder in a law firm in Albany, Ore.

He will continue his legal career in a new capacity after being sworn in as circuit court judge for Linn County, filling one of the two vacancies created by the retirements of Judges Rick McCormick and Glen Baisinger.

“I am very pleased to appoint a lawyer with his work ethic to serve as a judge,” said Governor Ted Kulongoski in a press release. “I believe his service on the bench will be an asset to the citizens of Linn County and the State of Oregon.”

Egan received his bachelor’s degree from Willamette University and his JD from the University of Oregon Law School in 1985. He is a Marine and former president of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association. As an attorney, his work focused on employment practices - representing injured workers and taking cases involving unlawful employment and discrimination practices.

Egan heard of McCormick’s and Baisinger’s retirements in April and began thinking of taking the next step. After speaking with partners in his firm and members of his family, he decided to move forward, submitting a judicial interest form to the governor’s office along with 14 others.

The forms were sent back to the Linn County Judicial Selection Committee, which is composed of attorneys from various areas of practice along with two judges, where the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates were discussed with a representative from Kulongoski’s office.

Egan formerly served on the committee representing civil law. He withdrew from the committee before announcing his intention to pursue a spot on the bench and was replaced by a new civil law attorney.

The governor and his legal counsel interviewed seven of the candidates, and appointed Egan to fill one of the vacancies until January. Egan will have to run in the November election to keep the position.

Rayfield said it was unlikely that someone would run against Egan as he would be running as an incumbent. He said it was more likely that other candidates would run for the additional open vacancy.

The other vacancy for the fifth seat will be filled by a candidate chosen in the November election by Linn County citizens. It will remain vacant until January when that candidate is sworn in.

Rayfield said he had reason to believe two of the other candidates might choose to run for the additional open vacancy, but did not feel comfortable giving their names.

Rayfield said that Egan’s experience in complex civil litigation was a unique strength that would make Egan an asset to the bench.

“Having a judge that’s really well versed in complex civil litigation is becoming more rare,” he said.

Egan’s partners are sad to see him leave the firm, and his children, one in law school and another a practicing attorney, are surprised, but they all are supportive of this new step in his career.

“To see me move to the bench was quite surprising, and they’re very happy,” Egan said.

Egan’s primary concern stepping into this position is seeing that the court finds a way to be effective in spite of budgetary concerns.

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said, quoting British Prime Minister William Gladstone. “We have to live within our budgetary constraints to allow expeditious and meaningful justice, and that’s going to be tough.”