Thomas Balmer, JD ’77, to become Oregon’s next chief justice

The Oregon Supreme Court announced Friday that Thomas A. Balmer has been elected as the court's 42nd chief justice.

Balmer succeeds Chief Justice Paul J. De Muniz, who is stepping down on May 1, 2012, and retiring in Jan. 2013.

“Justice Balmer will face tremendous challenges during his tenure as chief justice," said Justice De Muniz in a press release. "I am confident that he has the legal skills and the management experience to be a very effective chief justice."

Balmer has served as an associate justice on the Supreme Court since 2001. Prior to joining the court, he served as Oregon’s deputy attorney general. His community service includes being on the boards of the Classroom Law Project, Oregon Law Institute and Multnomah County Legal Aid Services, as well as volunteering at the Goose Hollow Family Shelter.