Nena Cook Questionnaire

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Statesman Journal mini-questionnaire for 2012 Primary Election

Thank you for responding to this questionnaire, which is for use by Statesman JournalEditorial Board members in evaluating candidates for potential endorsements. Youranswers also will be shared with reporters and may be published in the newspaper and/or

on our website, StatesmanJournal.com.Remember: Any information you provide may bemade public.

Please fill in your answer to each question and return this questionnaire to the EditorialBoard as an attached Word document. The editorial board e-mail:[email protected]

Deadline for submitting your questionnaire: 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 10.Questions? Contact Editorial Page Editor Dick Hughes, 503-399-6727,dhughes@StatesmanJournal.com---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your name:Nena Cook

Age:46

(If your age will change before the May 15 primary, please indicate your birthday. We want to make surewe use accurate ages in editorials and news coverage. )

Political party (if this is a partisan office):n/a

Position you are seeking (name of position, district number):Judge of the Oregon Supreme Court, Position 3

I plan to attend the editorial board meeting scheduled for:11 a.m. Tuesday, April 17

Number of years living in the area you seek to represent:Twenty-four

Are you a full-time resident of that area?

Yes

City/town of residence:Portland

Family (name of spouse/partner, number and ages of children if at home, number of grown children):Two children, ages 5 and 7


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Education:

Gonzaga University, Bachelor of Arts Degree, 1984 1988

Willamette University College of Law, Juris Doctor, 1988 1991

Portland State University, Masters of Business Administration program, attended 1996 1998. I left the program to focus on my law practice.

Current occupation/employer:

Partner, Sussman Shank

Employment, military and volunteer history:

Employment history:

- Certified Law Student, Marion County District Attorney, 1989-1991. I prosecutedcriminal cases and tried fifteen cases to conclusion before a jury.

- 1991-92 - Associate, Grenley Rotenberg. Represented individuals in probate, personalinjury, wrongful death, ERISA claims and securities violations.

- 1992-93 - Associate, Carney Buckley. Represented unions in contract negotiations,before the NLRB and the ERB. Represented union members in family law matters,consumer disputes, landlord-tenant issues and personal injury cases.

- 1993-95. Associate, Ericsson and Associates. Focused on admiralty claims, insurance

coverage disputes, small business disputes and personal injury.

- 1995-Present - Partner, Sussman Shank. Focus on commercial litigation, complexbusiness disputes, appellate law and defense of professional negligence claims.

- 2007-present Judge Pro Tem for the 4th

Judicial District for Multnomah County. I

preside over a docket that includes motions for summary judgment.

Volunteer history:

Oregon State Bar- President-Elect and President, 2004 2005- Oregon Commission on Professionalism, 2005- OSB Board of Governors, 2002-2005- Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Representative, 2000-2003- OSB Procedure and Practice Committee, 1999-2002- Multnomah County Judicial Screening Committee, 1999-2002- Federal Practice & Procedure Committee, 1997-1999, Chair 1999


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Oregon Commission for Women, 2007 2010

Campaign for Equal Justice, 2000 present- Campaign Advisory Board, 2007 present- Sections Giving Committee Co-Chair, 2007 present

American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, 2006 2010

Pro Bono Representation Panel, U.S. District Court, 2006 present

Oregon Women Lawyers Foundation, Board Members, 2007 present

Metro Crisis Line, 1990 - 1997

Please list all public offices to which youve been elected, and when:n/a

Please list any unsuccessful candidacies for public office, and when:n/a

Other prior political and government experience:

Oregon Commission for Women, 2007 2010

Pro Bono Representation Panel, U.S. District Court, 2006 present

Oregon State Bar

President-Elect and President, 2004 2005:In 2005, I testified before the Waysand Means committee in support of adequately funding for the judiciary andindigent defense. In 2004 and 2005, I spent time lobbying individual legislators

for adequate funding.

- Oregon Commission on Professionalism, 2005- OSB Board of Governors, 2002-2005- Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Representative, 2000-2003- OSB Procedure and Practice Committee, 1999-2002- Multnomah County Judicial Screening Committee, 1999-2002- Federal Practice & Procedure Committee, 1997-1999, Chair 1999

How the public can reach your campaign (remember that this information may be published):

Mail address:2236 SE 10th AvenuePortland, OR 97214

E-mail address: [email protected]


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Web site URL: www.NenaCookforOregonSupremeCourt.org

Phone: 971-266-0065

Fax: 503-467-5558

Please limit your response to each of the following questions to about 75 words.

1. Why did you decide to run for this office?I believe Oregonians are more likely to receive fair, independent justice and equaltreatment under the law from a court made up of justices who come from differentbackgrounds. I bring civil law experience having represented individuals, consumers,businesses, labor unions, and public bodies; criminal law experience having worked inthe Marion County D.A.s office; and appellate experience having had cases in State andFederal appellate courts. I also bring judicial experience having served as a pro temjudge since 2007.

2. How much will your primary campaign cost?My goal is to effectively communicate to voters that I am the strongest choice for thisposition on the Supreme Court, and that will take a substantial amount of money. We areworking to raise $50,000 for our voter communication.

3. Key endorsements you have received:Former Governor Vic AtiyehFormer Secretary of State Bill BradburyFormer Secretary of State and Superintendent of Public Instruction Norma PaulusState Representative Tim Freeman

Former State Representative Gail ShibleyClackamas County Commissioner Ann LiningerDouglas County Commissioner Doug RobertsonWashington County Commissioner Dick SchoutenFormer Multnomah County Commissioner Serena Cruz WalshMarion County Circuit Court Judge Mary Mertens JamesWashington County Circuit Court Judge Suzanne UptonColumbia County District Attorney Steve AtchisonKlamath County District Attorney Edwin CalebLinn County District Attorney Jason CarlileClackamas County District Attorney John Foote

Lane County District Attorney Alex GardnerClatsop County District Attorney Josh MarquisWasco County District Attorney Eric NisleyTillamook County District Attorney William PorterDouglas County Sheriff John HanlinFormer Douglas County Sheriff Chris BrownTeamsters Joint Council 37Oregon Business Association


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Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund

4. Have you ever been convicted of a crime, been disciplined by a professional licensingboard/organization or had an ethics violation filed against you? If so, please give thedetails.

No.

5. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy, been delinquent on your taxes or other majoraccounts, or been sued personally or professionally? If so, please give the details.No.

6. Why should people vote for you? What separates you from your opponent(s)? Bespecific.Not only do I bring a broad set of legal experiences to the Court, but I also would bring adifferent perspective than many on the Court. Three of the seven justices came to theCourt directly from the Court of Appeals, and a fourth will be elected this year because

he is running unopposed. We need more diversity of experiences on the court in order tomore fairly represent the diverse population of Oregon. I have traveled to every county inOregon and practiced law in nearly all of them, and I understand the differences andsimilarities among Oregonians. I would bring a fair and balanced approach to our stateshighest court.

7. What are the three most important issues you would address if elected? How? (75 wordsfor each issue)

Budget challenges - My vision is of a judicial system that has the resources to ensureaccess to justice for all Oregonians. Disputes, whether in the civil or criminal system,must be decided in a timely manner. We need to make sure the judicial system runsefficiently and effectively, but we also need to make sure it has enough funds allocated toit so that it functions smoothly. I would work with the Chief Justice, as needed andrequested, to meet any budget challenge.

Implementation of eCourt - Also essential to this assured access is the Oregon eCourt,which allows twenty-four hour access to information and which I would like to seeexpanded. I would help in any way requested to help ensure a smooth implementation ofthis program.

Public outreach - I see an opportunity to increase the understanding of the judicial systemand what it does through increased public outreach and education. I would be more thanhappy to go on the road to talk with students and other Oregonians about our judicialsystem.

8. What do you see as other important issues?

We live in a time of seemingly increasing divisive politics. As a justice, I wouldmaintain and respect the dignity of all those who come before the Court in the hopes that,


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by my actions, we could bring a deeper understanding of our government, including thejudicial branch.

9. What magazines, newspapers and Web publications do you regularly read to keep upon the news and developments in your areas of interest?

I have a wide range of interests, from sports to politics, and the key outlets I read includeMsnbc.com, the New York Times, Oregonlive.com, Atlantic Monthly, politico.com, theABA Law Journal, and various law review articles. I also read materials about things thatchildren would be interested in since my kids are ages 5 and 7, and I often read SportsIllustrated for Kids and Highlight magazine.

10. Any skeletons in your closet or other potentially embarrassing information that youwant to disclose before it comes up in the campaign?There are no skeletons in my closet or other embarrassing information.

Nena Cook Questionnaire

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Transcript of Nena Cook Questionnaire