Frances Burge Appointed to Bench
June 11, 2009
In early June, Gov. Ted Kulongoski announced the appointment of WUCL alumna Frances Burge JD'98 to the Douglas County Circuit Court bench.
“Frances Burge will bring her extensive knowledge of criminal law to the court,” the governor said in a press release. “I am very pleased to appoint a lawyer of her work ethic to serve as a judge. I am also pleased to appoint the first Hispanic judge to the Douglas County Circuit Court bench. I believe her service on the bench will be an asset to the citizens of Douglas County and the state of Oregon.”
Burge received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California–Davis and her Doctor of Jurisprudence from Willamette University. She has worked for the Douglas County District Attorney's Office for nearly 10 years, including the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team and the Douglas County Drug Court.
Burge was selected from among 10 local attorneys who applied for the position. She will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge William Lasswell, also a Willamette University graduate.
Burge's appointment will last until May 2010, when she plans to run in the election for a full term. The appointment becomes effective July 1, but the date she will begin serving as judge has not been set.