A smiling man with short brown hair wearing a light blue dress shirt standing outdoors in front of trees.

Family • Mentor • Coach • Pro Tem Judge

My Story

I am running because I want to make a difference for children and families. 

I have dedicated my whole career to working for people who do not have the means to defend themselves. I believe that our communities and systems are stronger when more of us have a say, so I prioritize collaborating with and supporting my colleagues as a way of working toward a more inclusive and restorative justice system.

A vintage photo of two men and three children sitting in a wooded outdoor setting. One man is seated on a bench, the other is unwrapping a gift and the children are playing with toys.
A young boy with red hair and a red sweater smiling and holding a string of fish in front of a wooden door decorated for a birthday with birthday cards and a

Roots of Justice

I grew up in the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Before moving there, I lived in Luverne (a rural farming community in southern Minnesota) and Bemidji (in the northern woods). Bemidji is a small town near the Leech Lake Indian Reservation where my dad was the Director for the Legal Services Project.

For 45 years, he dedicated his career to defending civil rights and working for fair housing, choosing to work for people who did not have the means to defend themselves. My father’s commitment to serving those in need inspired me to become a lawyer.

While I have spent the majority of my adult life in Portland, I am still connected to my roots, to family and friends in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Working for the People

I have broad and significant experience working in all facets of the justice system from criminal trials to treatment courts to family and juvenile law. My law career is grounded in a trauma-informed approach, which started when I worked as an AmeriCorps attorney for legal aid services in Albany, Oregon representing survivors of domestic violence, primarily women. I spent 13 years as a Public Defender in Portland before starting my own solo practice. In January 2020, I was appointed as a Judge Pro Tem to the Juvenile Court system in Multnomah County and hold that position today. 

I have dedicated my whole career to working for people who do not have the means to defend themselves. My breadth of experience means I understand the nuances of the justice system from all sides of the bench. I am trusted by peers and I’m frequently invited to participate in a variety of committees and workgroups focused on assessing risks, behavioral health, local public safety, and child welfare.

I believe that our communities and systems are stronger when more of us have a say, so I prioritize collaborating with and supporting my colleagues as a way of working toward a more inclusive and restorative justice system.

Group of five people standing on rocks near a river in a forested area with mountains in the background.

My Family

I am a husband and father to three boys aged 23, 20, and 17. Hau and I have been married for almost a quarter century and we enjoy running, biking, and traveling as a family.

When my kids were younger, I coached their basketball, soccer, and baseball teams, and these days I still coach a boys’ 8th grade basketball team because I love helping kids to work hard, come together as a team, and be the best version of themselves on and off the court.