Experienced. Thoughtful. Trusted.
“One power of diversity in the legal profession is the recognition that diverse perspectives, and diverse approaches to a problem, are an asset, not a flaw to be mitigated.”
— Justice Bronson James
Justice Bronson James was appointed to the Oregon Supreme Court in January 2023. As a fourth generation Oregonian from Southern Oregon, Justice Bronson James has deep connections to communities across the state—and knows the law hasn’t always treated all Oregonians fairly.
As a judge, Justice James knows how important it is to uphold our state constitution and the unique protections it provides to Oregonians, while critically examining how we got here and ensuring all Oregonians have equal access to justice.
Justice James understands that the court’s decisions affect people’s lives today, and impact future generations. He approaches each case with an open mind, while treating everyone with respect and ensuring all voices are heard. Justice James is committed to applying the rule of law impartially, with integrity.
Justice James’ decades of legal experience began as a public defender, representing people as an attorney with Metropolitan Public Defender, then as Chief Deputy of the Oregon Office of Public Defense Services Appellate Division. From 2010 to 2016 he operated his own law firm, focusing on federal and state criminal defense, federal immigration representation, and civil rights litigation. The motto of his law firm was “Defending Rights, Serving People” and he lived that pledge by representing a wide array of individuals: Both victims and defendants in criminal cases, injured plaintiffs as well as defendants, small business owners, and families navigating the immigration system. He served on the Oregon State Bar Disciplinary Board, the Unlawful Practice of Law Committee, the Uniform Criminal Jury Instruction Committee, as a member of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, and as a cooperating attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union.
He began his judicial career on the trial bench, at the Multnomah County Circuit Court. On the bench he presided over numerous trials, both civil and criminal, including complex civil matters and major felonies. As a trial judge he took the unusual step of authoring a lengthy opinion upholding a conviction but criticizing the racial history of Oregon’s non-unanimous jury system. His opinion was ultimately cited by the United States Supreme Court in its decision in Ramos v. Louisiana that overturned Oregon’s system.
In 2017 he was appointed to the Oregon Court of Appeals, eventually serving as Presiding Judge of Department Three. During that time he authored hundreds of opinions on countless areas of Oregon law: criminal and civil, evidence, land use, workers compensation, and juvenile dependency, among others.
In addition to his time on the bench, Justice James has worked with Oregon’s Unconscious Bias committee to develop the Unconscious Bias jury video that is shown throughout the state. He currently chairs the Oregon Supreme Court Council on Inclusion and Fairness, sits on Oregon’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative Grant Review Committee, and serves on Oregon’s Judicial Leadership and Education Committee. He is an adjunct professor at both Willamette University College of Law and Lewis & Clark Law School, where he teaches Evidence and Oregon Constitutional Law, and he volunteers with Classroom Law Project as a high school mock trial coach. Justice James is a frequent presenter on issues of digital privacy, search and seizure, and constitutional law.
Justice James received his undergraduate degree from Reed College. Following graduation, he entered the technology sector where he focused on information privacy and data security. This work began his interest in digital privacy law – an area in which he is now well known. After six years, he returned to school and obtained his J.D. from Lewis and Clark Law School.
When he’s not on the bench, Justice James’s hobbies include his love of comic books—reflected in his Doctor Strange tattoo.
Oregon Roots, Oregon Values
Justice Bronson James’ family instilled in him the principles of hard work, independence, and integrity—values shared by Oregonians across the state, from the coast to the high desert.
Justice James’ grandfather and great grandfather, pictured here, logged in Astoria in the 1920s. His grandparents owned a farm in Klamath Falls, and his father and uncles worked in the timber industry and construction. Justice James grew up on a small acreage raising cattle, growing hay, and tending to horses. He attended Phoenix High School.
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Robert Raschio, Judge, Grant/Harney Circuit Court
“Justice James is the foremost legal mind in Oregon on protecting individual rights enshrined in the Constitution. He possesses an extraordinary intellect and profound passion for the Constitution and Oregon citizens. I am honored to endorse his candidacy for reelection to the Oregon Supreme Court.”
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Former Governor Kate Brown
“Throughout my time as Governor, I have sought to appoint highly-qualified individuals with deep connections to their communities, extensive courtroom experience, and professional and lived experiences that are representative of all of Oregon.”
(Justice James appointment announcement, December 28, 2022) -
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Cicely Thrasher, Community Leader, Portland
“It’s never been more important to elect judges who understand the struggles faced by people living in our most disadvantaged communities. Justice James’ decades of experience as a public defender and track record of fighting for civil rights has not only earned my respect, but also my vote.”
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Diana Stuart, Judge, Multnomah County Circuit Court
“He is impartial, fair, an excellent legal scholar, and will serve the State of Oregon with impeccable ethical standards.”
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Daniel Cross, Judge, Washington County Justice Court
“Judge James is one of the most fair, thoughtful and just jurists I have ever had the pleasure to know in my 30-year career in law.”
