SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-Oregon Court of Appeals Judge Jack Landau on Thursday filed papers to run for a seat on the state Supreme Court, making him the first sitting judge to announce a run for the high court.
Landau is seeking to replace Justice W. Michael Gillette, who does not plan to seek reelection.
"I think I can make a positive contribution to the court having been the author of more than 1,000 appellate court opinions during my 17 years of judicial service," Landau said in a statement. "I have a proven record of independence, hard work and commitment to the rule of law in Oregon."
The election will be held in Oregon's May primary. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates will have a run off in the November general election.
Landau, 56, was first appointed to the Oregon Court of Appeals in 1993. He served as deputy state attorney general from 1991 to 1993.
He headed the Oregon Department of Justice's Special Litigation Unit from 1989 to 1991. From 1983 to 1989, he was in private practice with the Portland law firm of Lindsay, Hart, Neil & Weigler.
Landau earned his law degree from Northwestern School of Law in 1980. He received an LL.M. in 2001 from the University of Virginia School of Law.
From Legal Newsline: Reach staff reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.