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    Nena Cook Questionnaire

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    Statesman Journal
    The document is a questionnaire completed by Nena Cook, who is running for Judge of the Oregon Supreme Court, Position 3. In her responses, Cook provides background information about her legal experience and qualifications for the position. She outlines her legal career including positions at law firms and as a pro tem judge. Cook also discusses her priorities if elected, including ensuring adequate funding for the judicial system, implementing the Oregon eCourt system, and increasing public outreach and education about the courts.

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    Nena Cook Questionnaire

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    Statesman Journal
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    The document is a questionnaire completed by Nena Cook, who is running for Judge of the Oregon Supreme Court, Position 3. In her responses, Cook provides background information about her legal experience and qualifications for the position. She outlines her legal career including positions at law firms and as a pro tem judge. Cook also discusses her priorities if elected, including ensuring adequate funding for the judicial system, implementing the Oregon eCourt system, and increasing public outreach and education about the courts.

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    The document is a questionnaire completed by Nena Cook, who is running for Judge of the Oregon Supreme Court, Position 3. In her responses, Cook provides background information about her legal experience and qualifications for the position. She outlines her legal career including positions at law firms and as a pro tem judge. Cook also discusses her priorities if elected, including ensuring adequate funding for the judicial system, implementing the Oregon eCourt system, and increasing public outreach and education about the courts.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    240 views6 pages

    Nena Cook Questionnaire

    Uploaded by

    Statesman Journal
    The document is a questionnaire completed by Nena Cook, who is running for Judge of the Oregon Supreme Court, Position 3. In her responses, Cook provides background information about her legal experience and qualifications for the position. She outlines her legal career including positions at law firms and as a pro tem judge. Cook also discusses her priorities if elected, including ensuring adequate funding for the judicial system, implementing the Oregon eCourt system, and increasing public outreach and education about the courts.

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    Statesman Journal mini-questionnaire for 2012 Primary Election Thank you for responding to this questionnaire, which is for

    use by Statesman Journal Editorial Board members in evaluating candidates for potential endorsements. Your answers also will be shared with reporters and may be published in the newspaper and/or on our website, StatesmanJournal.com. Remember: Any information you provide may be made public. Please fill in your answer to each question and return this questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an attached Word document. The editorial board e-mail: [email protected] Deadline for submitting your questionnaire: 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 10.
    Questions? Contact Editorial Page Editor Dick Hughes, 503-399-6727, [email protected] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Your name: Nena Cook Age: 46


    (If your age will change before the May 15 primary, please indicate your birthday. We want to make sure we use accurate ages in editorials and news coverage. )

    Political party (if this is a partisan office): n/a Position you are seeking (name of position, district number): Judge of the Oregon Supreme Court, Position 3 I plan to attend the editorial board meeting scheduled for: 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 17 Number of years living in the area you seek to represent: Twenty-four Are you a full-time resident of that area? Yes City/town of residence: Portland Family (name of spouse/partner, number and ages of children if at home, number of grown children): Two children, ages 5 and 7

    Education: Gonzaga University, Bachelor of Arts Degree, 1984 1988 Willamette University College of Law, Juris Doctor, 1988 1991 Portland State University, Masters of Business Administration program, attended 1996 1998. I left the program to focus on my law practice. Current occupation/employer: Partner, Sussman Shank Employment, military and volunteer history: Employment history: - Certified Law Student, Marion County District Attorney, 1989-1991. I prosecuted criminal cases and tried fifteen cases to conclusion before a jury. - 1991-92 - Associate, Grenley Rotenberg. Represented individuals in probate, personal injury, wrongful death, ERISA claims and securities violations. - 1992-93 - Associate, Carney Buckley. Represented unions in contract negotiations, before the NLRB and the ERB. Represented union members in family law matters, consumer disputes, landlord-tenant issues and personal injury cases. - 1993-95. Associate, Ericsson and Associates. Focused on admiralty claims, insurance coverage disputes, small business disputes and personal injury. - 1995-Present - Partner, Sussman Shank. Focus on commercial litigation, complex business disputes, appellate law and defense of professional negligence claims. - 2007-present Judge Pro Tem for the 4th Judicial District for Multnomah County. I preside over a docket that includes motions for summary judgment. Volunteer history: Oregon State Bar - President-Elect and President, 2004 2005 - Oregon Commission on Professionalism, 2005 - OSB Board of Governors, 2002-2005 - Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Representative, 2000-2003 - OSB Procedure and Practice Committee, 1999-2002 - Multnomah County Judicial Screening Committee, 1999-2002 - Federal Practice & Procedure Committee, 1997-1999, Chair 1999

    Oregon Commission for Women, 2007 2010 Campaign for Equal Justice, 2000 present - Campaign Advisory Board, 2007 present - Sections Giving Committee Co-Chair, 2007 present American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, 2006 2010 Pro Bono Representation Panel, U.S. District Court, 2006 present Oregon Women Lawyers Foundation, Board Members, 2007 present Metro Crisis Line, 1990 - 1997 Please list all public offices to which youve been elected, and when: n/a Please list any unsuccessful candidacies for public office, and when: n/a Other prior political and government experience: Oregon Commission for Women, 2007 2010 Pro Bono Representation Panel, U.S. District Court, 2006 present Oregon State Bar President-Elect and President, 2004 2005: In 2005, I testified before the Ways and Means committee in support of adequately funding for the judiciary and indigent defense. In 2004 and 2005, I spent time lobbying individual legislators for adequate funding. - Oregon Commission on Professionalism, 2005 - OSB Board of Governors, 2002-2005 - Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Representative, 2000-2003 - OSB Procedure and Practice Committee, 1999-2002 - Multnomah County Judicial Screening Committee, 1999-2002 - Federal Practice & Procedure Committee, 1997-1999, Chair 1999 How the public can reach your campaign (remember that this information may be published): Mail address: 2236 SE 10th Avenue Portland, OR 97214 E-mail address: [email protected]

    Web site URL: www.NenaCookforOregonSupremeCourt.org Phone: 971-266-0065 Fax: 503-467-5558 Please limit your response to each of the following questions to about 75 words. 1. Why did you decide to run for this office? I believe Oregonians are more likely to receive fair, independent justice and equal treatment under the law from a court made up of justices who come from different backgrounds. I bring civil law experience having represented individuals, consumers, businesses, labor unions, and public bodies; criminal law experience having worked in the Marion County D.A.s office; and appellate experience having had cases in State and Federal appellate courts. I also bring judicial experience having served as a pro tem judge since 2007. 2. How much will your primary campaign cost? My goal is to effectively communicate to voters that I am the strongest choice for this position on the Supreme Court, and that will take a substantial amount of money. We are working to raise $50,000 for our voter communication. 3. Key endorsements you have received: Former Governor Vic Atiyeh Former Secretary of State Bill Bradbury Former Secretary of State and Superintendent of Public Instruction Norma Paulus State Representative Tim Freeman Former State Representative Gail Shibley Clackamas County Commissioner Ann Lininger Douglas County Commissioner Doug Robertson Washington County Commissioner Dick Schouten Former Multnomah County Commissioner Serena Cruz Walsh Marion County Circuit Court Judge Mary Mertens James Washington County Circuit Court Judge Suzanne Upton Columbia County District Attorney Steve Atchison Klamath County District Attorney Edwin Caleb Linn County District Attorney Jason Carlile Clackamas County District Attorney John Foote Lane County District Attorney Alex Gardner Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis Wasco County District Attorney Eric Nisley Tillamook County District Attorney William Porter Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin Former Douglas County Sheriff Chris Brown Teamsters Joint Council 37 Oregon Business Association

    Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund 4. Have you ever been convicted of a crime, been disciplined by a professional licensing board/organization or had an ethics violation filed against you? If so, please give the details. No. 5. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy, been delinquent on your taxes or other major accounts, or been sued personally or professionally? If so, please give the details. No. 6. Why should people vote for you? What separates you from your opponent(s)? Be specific. Not only do I bring a broad set of legal experiences to the Court, but I also would bring a different perspective than many on the Court. Three of the seven justices came to the Court directly from the Court of Appeals, and a fourth will be elected this year because he is running unopposed. We need more diversity of experiences on the court in order to more fairly represent the diverse population of Oregon. I have traveled to every county in Oregon and practiced law in nearly all of them, and I understand the differences and similarities among Oregonians. I would bring a fair and balanced approach to our states highest court. 7. What are the three most important issues you would address if elected? How? (75 words
    for each issue)

    Budget challenges - My vision is of a judicial system that has the resources to ensure access to justice for all Oregonians. Disputes, whether in the civil or criminal system, must be decided in a timely manner. We need to make sure the judicial system runs efficiently and effectively, but we also need to make sure it has enough funds allocated to it so that it functions smoothly. I would work with the Chief Justice, as needed and requested, to meet any budget challenge. Implementation of eCourt - Also essential to this assured access is the Oregon eCourt, which allows twenty-four hour access to information and which I would like to see expanded. I would help in any way requested to help ensure a smooth implementation of this program. Public outreach - I see an opportunity to increase the understanding of the judicial system and what it does through increased public outreach and education. I would be more than happy to go on the road to talk with students and other Oregonians about our judicial system. 8. What do you see as other important issues? We live in a time of seemingly increasing divisive politics. As a justice, I would maintain and respect the dignity of all those who come before the Court in the hopes that,

    by my actions, we could bring a deeper understanding of our government, including the judicial branch. 9. What magazines, newspapers and Web publications do you regularly read to keep up on the news and developments in your areas of interest? I have a wide range of interests, from sports to politics, and the key outlets I read include Msnbc.com, the New York Times, Oregonlive.com, Atlantic Monthly, politico.com, the ABA Law Journal, and various law review articles. I also read materials about things that children would be interested in since my kids are ages 5 and 7, and I often read Sports Illustrated for Kids and Highlight magazine. 10. Any skeletons in your closet or other potentially embarrassing information that you want to disclose before it comes up in the campaign? There are no skeletons in my closet or other embarrassing information.

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