John Casalino for Judge

Experienced. Dedicated. Principled.

For nearly 29 years, John Casalino has been dedicated to the pursuit of justice and the protection of Oregon’s most vulnerable residents.  He began his career in civil practice. He soon answered the call of public service, working diligently toward the goal of keeping the community safe as a child abuse prosecutor and as a Senior Assistant Attorney General. John brings an unmatched depth of experience to the bench–experience earned in courtrooms from Portland to Klamath Falls.

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Experience Matters in Our Courts

Courthouse Efficiency

Having spent nearly 29 years in the legal system, John knows how to manage a courtroom that respects jurors, victims, and litigants. He understands the mechanics of the law and the human element behind every case. He is prepared, decisive, and efficient.  

Impartial Justice

Justice should not depend on where you live. John has worked in courtrooms across Oregon, and understands the importance and value of actively listening to different perspectives. Every individual who walks into a courtroom deserves to be heard by a judge who has not predetermined the outcome. Whether in a civil dispute or a criminal trial, his rulings will be grounded in the facts and the law.  

Community Safety and Trust 

John has spent his career protecting children and strengthening families. He knows public trust is essential. He is committed to transparency and to ensuring that our courts remain a place of dignity and respect for victims, the accused, and litigants where the rule of law is followed and every voice is heard.

Decades of Courtroom Experience 

As a deputy district attorney he managed complex dockets and prosecuted our state’s most serious crimes, including child abuse and murder. He is running for Position 5 in Multnomah County. Because of his breadth of knowledge and considerable experience in the courtroom, he is uniquely prepared to start, day one. He will ensure that everyone who comes to court is heard, treated with dignity, and has their matter decided fairly.

Proven Record of Leadership

Leading the county’s Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Team and managing the Family Justice Division of the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, John spent years improving systems to better serve Multnomah County residents. In 2022, John was called to serve as the Interim District Attorney for Klamath County through the Oregon Department of Justice. He stepped into a system in crisis and worked tirelessly to restore staff stability and rebuild community trust. As a Multnomah County judge, he will be committed to accountability, dignity, and transparency.

Endorsements

  • Dr. Tamara Grigsby, M.D.

    “My interactions with John were not with Casalino, the prosecutor, but Casalino, the dyed in the wool advocate for children who are no longer able to advocate for themselves. That is to say, I got to know John in his role as the chair of the Multnomah County Child Fatality Review Team, and outspoken member of the State Child Fatality Review Team.”

  • Senior Multnomah County Judge Eric Bergstrom

    "For years I've watched John in the courtroom. He's sharp, skilled, always prepared and showcases even temperament and good judgment. Multnomah County needs him on the bench."

  • Molly Becker, Shareholder Buckley Law

    "John Casalino is one of the reasons I went to law school--his dedication, wisdom, integrity, and kindness have always been an inspiration. I know many caseworkers at DHS, myself included, that always looked forward to working with John, especially because of his insightful contributions at MDT meetings and his resolute, stalwart involvement in complex cases. I remember a particular Grand Jury when children on one of my cases struggled to testify to the abuse they suffered at the hands of a parent. John was exceedingly gentle and supportive with them, making their experience in court less traumatic."

  • Child Sexual Abuse Survivor

    "There are no words to describe the level of safety and comfort you bring. When you think of a superhero you don't often think of an Attorney. We do. When we were going through a vulnerable time in our lives you provided guidance and transparency. There is a level of softness and safety you bring to make sure those who have experienced trauma, do not continue to feel that terror throughout the judicial process.”

  • Parents of Child Sexual Assault Survivors

    “We met you under the worst circumstances, yet you were the light at the end of a dark tunnel. Your confidence gave us reassurance, and you did what you said you would do. The healing could begin and the girls felt safe.”

See More Endorsements

Local officials recognized that under John’s leadership, the DA’s Office moved from being “ineffective” to being on a “trajectory to be an exceptional office.”

David Henslee

“We have been extremely impressed with the leadership, expertise, and vision John Casalino (DOJ Prosecutor) has provided as he fills the role of Klamath County District Attorney. Our DA’s Office has changed dramatically over the past few months and is on a trajectory to be an exceptional office into the future.”

Letter Klamath County Board of Commissioners, 
David Henslee, Kelley Minty, Vice Chair and Derrick DeGroot, Chair    March 2, 2023