Hon. Brian C. Dretke (Ret.) was a judge for the 10th Judicial District Circuit Court of Oregon. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor John Kitzhaber in January 2012. Dretke retired in 2017 to return to private practice.
The 10th Judicial District includes Union and Wallowa Counties.
Prior to his appointment, Dretke was a partner at Hallman & Dretke, having joined the firm in 2000. He entered private practice in 1997 with a focus on personal injury and nursing home litigation in state and federal courts. Before that, Dretke worked as a deputy district attorney in both Union and Lane Counties (1993 to 1997).
He was certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in 2006.
Dretke received a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University. While at university, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he trained as a law enforcement specialist at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana. After completing his studies, Dretke returned to Oklahoma and began a tenure with the Tulsa Police Department, starting in the patrol division before being selected for a spot on the SWAT team. Dretke later served on the fugitive warrants squad and held an assignment in the undercover narcotics unit, where he finished his law enforcement career. He received the Chief’s Award in 1990 for his role in an extensive undercover operation that spanned several months.
Dretke went on to complete a J.D. at the University of Tulsa College of Law in 1992.
He was president and an Executive Committee member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and a past president of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association.
Following his retirement, he opened The Dretke Law Firm, where he continued to litigate personal injury and nursing home abuse and neglect matters.
Dretke was raised in New Orleans and Shreveport, Louisiana, before relocating to Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his family in 1974. In his free time, he enjoys running, cycling, and swimming. An avid runner, Dretke completed twelve full iron-distance triathlons and several half-iron triathlons, as well as full and half marathons. He and his wife, Khuelien, also enjoy Orange Theory Fitness.