Judge Janice R. Wilson: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Hon. Janice R. Wilson (Ret.) was a judge for the 4th Judicial District Circuit Court of Oregon in Multnomah County. She joined the bench in 1991. Wilson retired in January 2013 and subsequently became a senior judge for the Oregon Judicial Department.

Prior to beginning her judicial career, she was of counsel at Ater Wynne Hewitt Dodson & Skeritt (1990 to 1991) and an attorney at Lindsay, Hart, Neil & Weigler (1981 to 1990).

Wilson received a bachelor’s degree from Willamette University in 1976. She went on to complete a J.D. at Willamette University College of Law in 1979.

After graduating from law school, Wilson began her legal career as a judicial law clerk to the Hon. Otto R. Skopil, Jr. with the United States District Court for the District of Oregon and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (1979 to 1981).

Following her retirement, she spent seven years as a private mediator and arbitrator before retiring from legal practice in 2020.

Wilson received the Citation for Outstanding Service from the American College of Trial Lawyers (2013), the Wallace P. Carson Award for Judicial Excellence from the Oregon State Bar (2011), the President’s Affirmative Action Award from the Oregon State Bar (1999, 2005 and 2008), the Judge Mercedes Deiz Award from Oregon Women Lawyers (1999), and the Award of Merit from the Multnomah Bar Association (1997). She was also recognized for Contributions to the Civil Justice System by the American Board of Trial Advocates (2012) and for Humanitarian Service by the Oregon Circuit Judges Association (2009).