Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith - Professional Background & Legal Expertise

Biography

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith is a judge for the 4th Judicial District Circuit Court of Oregon in Multnomah County. She was appointed to the bench in 2011, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Keith Meisenheimer (Ret.).

Villa-Smith presides in the Family Law Department.

Prior to joining the bench, she spent twenty-six years working in both the private and public sectors. During that time, Villa-Smith worked for ten years as a deputy district attorney with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office and handled family law matters for sixteen years in private practice. She was a former shareholder at Gevurtz, Menashe, Larson & Howe in Portland, having joined the firm in 1993.

Villa-Smith received a B.A. from New Mexico State University in 1974. She went on to complete a J.D. at Lewis & Clark Law School in 1982.

She was admitted to practice in Oregon in 1983.

Villa-Smith was a board member of the St. Andrew Law Clinic and the Multnomah Bar Foundation. She also served on the Multnomah Bar Association Board of Directors and its Judicial Screening Committee.

Her other memberships included the Oregon Hispanic Bar Association, the Oregon Minority Lawyers, the Clackamas County Family Law Group, the American Inns of Court, the Oregon Academy of Family Law Practitioners, and the Family Law Section of the Oregon State Bar.

From a civic standpoint, Villa-Smith served as an Oregon State High School mock trial judge.

She attended Santa Fe High School.

Recent Cases by Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Tsion Tafesse vs Sergey Alex Livandovskiy

On February 16, 2024 a tort - general case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Feb 16, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Tort - General

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 16, 2024

In the Matter of: Sebastian Alexander Hamilton

On January 23, 2024 an identity record case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Jan 23, 2024

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Identity Record

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 07, 2024

Telli Renae Leveque vs Michael Allen Leveque

On January 18, 2024 a dissolution case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Jan 18, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Dissolution

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 02, 2024

Michael Esquibel, Petitioner vs. Kimberly Goddard, Respondent

On January 11, 2024 a document recording - family case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Jan 11, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Document Recording - Family

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 12, 2024

In the Matter of: Mohammad Tiab Dashti

On January 10, 2024 an identity record case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Jan 10, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

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Category

Identity Record

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 11, 2024

Natasha M Jones vs Ahmiro R Hart

On December 22, 2023 a petition custody/support/visitation case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Dec 22, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Petition Custody/Support/Visitation

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Custody,Visitation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 26, 2023

In the Matter of: Alexis Anne Rogers

On December 21, 2023 an identity record case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Dec 21, 2023

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

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Category

Identity Record

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 29, 2024

Adrianna Grace Banta vs Jared P Bordere

On December 17, 2023 a dissolution case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Dec 17, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Dissolution

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 25, 2023

Debora Velarde Babb, Co-Petitioner vs Steven Grant Babb, Co-Petitioner

On December 13, 2023 a dissolution case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Dec 13, 2023

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Dissolution

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2023

Angela Melissa Swim vs Tyler Shadoe Swim

On December 13, 2023 a dissolution case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Dec 13, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Dissolution

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2023

Hannah Teresa Nacu vs Cadman James Cherry

On December 7, 2023 a dissolution case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Dec 07, 2023

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Dissolution

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2023

Zaid Ahmed Mohamad Alali, Co-Petitioner vs Lauren Hartshorn, Co-Petitioner

On December 1, 2023 a dissolution case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Dec 01, 2023

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Dissolution

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 22, 2023

Joshua H. Brown vs Lauryn K. Bartlett

On November 21, 2023 a petition custody/support/visitation case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Nov 21, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Petition Custody/Support/Visitation

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Custody,Visitation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 22, 2023

In the Matter of: Rafael Pehr Vasquez

On November 20, 2023 an identity record case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Nov 20, 2023

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Identity Record

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 29, 2024

In the Matter of: Jayden Riley Armstrong

On November 20, 2023 an identity record case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Nov 20, 2023

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Identity Record

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 29, 2024

In the Matter of: Alison Audrey Groom

On November 7, 2023 an identity record case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Nov 07, 2023

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Identity Record

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 10, 2023

In the Matter of: Tristen Williams

On October 17, 2023 an identity record case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Oct 17, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Identity Record

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 29, 2024

Vanessa Rodriguez, Co-Petitioner vs Alberto Guerrero, Co-Petitioner

On September 18, 2023 a dissolution case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Sep 18, 2023

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Dissolution

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 21, 2023

Neal P. Cousins, Co-Petitioner vs Raphel D. Cousins, Co-Petitioner

On September 13, 2023 a dissolution case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Sep 13, 2023

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Dissolution

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 21, 2023

Dilcia Nadina Guifarro Aguilar, Co-Petitioner vs Wilmer Adali Escoto Rodriguez, Co-Petitioner

On September 13, 2023 a dissolution case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Sep 13, 2023

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Dissolution

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 21, 2023

Jodie Nguyen vs Truong Dang Nguyen

On September 13, 2023 a dissolution case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Sep 13, 2023

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Dissolution

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 21, 2023

Sarjo Kuyateh vs Shaquila Capri Spruill

On September 8, 2023 a dissolution case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Sep 08, 2023

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Dissolution

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 21, 2023

Jacob Amos Bruno vs Heidi Donahue Bruno

On August 30, 2023 a dissolution case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Aug 30, 2023

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Dissolution

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 21, 2023

Ayden Tilford, Co-Petitioner vs Christopher Tilford, Co-Petitioner

On August 29, 2023 a dissolution case was filed in the jurisdiction of Multnomah County. Judge Kathryn L. Villa-Smith presiding.

Filed

Aug 29, 2023

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Kathryn L. Villa-Smith

Court

Multnomah County

County

Multnomah County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Dissolution

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 21, 2023

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About

Kathryn L. Villa-Smith
Current Appointment 4th Judicial District Circuit Court of Oregon, Department 29, Room 08-A	4th Judicial District Circuit Court of Oregon, Department 29, Room 08-A
Election/Appointment 2012 - Re-elected 2018 - Re-elected	2012 - Re-elected 2018 - Re-elected
Education B.A., New Mexico State University - 1974 J.D., Lewis & Clark Law School - 1982	B.A., New Mexico State University - 1974 J.D., Lewis & Clark Law School - 1982

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	OR - 4th Judicial District Circuit Court of Oregon
Clerk phone:	+1 (971) 274-0676

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Deputy District Attorney	Multnomah County District Attorney's Office	Multnomah County, Oregon
Shareholder	Gevurtz, Menashe, Larson & Howe	Multnomah County, Oregon
Judge	4th Judicial District Circuit Court of Oregon	Multnomah County, Oregon