The Hon. Karen Ostrye is a judge for the 7th Judicial District Circuit Court of Oregon. She was appointed to the bench by former Governor John Kitzhaber on June 17, 2014, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Paul Crowley.
The 7th Judicial District encompasses Gilliam County, Hood River County, Sherman County, Wasco County, and Wheeler County.
Ostrye earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Portland State University in 2000. She then completed a J.D. at Lewis & Clark Law School in 2003.
After graduating from law school, Ostrye entered into private practice at Jaques, Sharp, Sherrerd & FitzSimmons in Hood River. She started as an associate, rising through the ranks to become a named partner in 2007.
Her memberships have included the Juvenile Court Improvement Project and the Mid-Columbia Bar Association. She has also been involved with the Board of Directors of the Hood River Education Foundation and the Hood River County School District.
She was named Mentor of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Columbia Gorge (2012).
Ostrye attended Albany High School in Albany, California.