Commissioners choose Osler for judge post
She’s the first woman to hold District Court job in Clark County
Kelli Osler, shown in 2008, was named a Clark County District Court judge on Tuesday.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Clark County District Court Commissioner Kelli Osler has been named the new District Court judge, making her the first woman to hold the seat, the Board of Commissioners announced Tuesday.
Osler, 46, was the clear choice, Commissioner Steve Stuart said, because of her extensive law experience and ability to show “thoughtfulness, fairness and integrity” on the job.
“Her preparation in the job — to do the job — certainly made her stand out,” he said. “She comes with a strong set of recommendations.”
Osler’s start date will be decided at next week’s commissioners’ meeting, Stuart said.
Osler was informed of the decision Tuesday afternoon by County Administrator Bill Barron. Though she was considered the front-runner, Osler said she was still surprised.
“I’m very superstitious,” Osler said. “I never count my eggs before they hatch.”
Even so, Osler said she is thrilled to become a judge and take more responsibility helping the District Court system run efficiently on a tight budget.
“I’m very excited,” she said. The position “is really an extension of what I’m doing, and I love what I’m doing.”
The appointment fills the vacancy created in February when former District Court Judge Rich Melnick replaced retiring Superior Court Judge Robert Harris.
Osler beat two other candidates, Vancouver private attorneys Jim Sellers and Craig Kennedy, for the post.
In the Clark County Bar Association’s preference poll earlier this month, Osler received 137 of the 161 votes tallied.
She is the first woman ever seated as a Clark County District Court judge, according to the commissioners.
“I’m excited and honored,” Osler said. “I think it will lend a level of diversity needed in District Court.”
Osler, who was appointed in 2005 to be a District Court commissioner, presides over traffic and small-claims matters, in addition to substituting for District Court judges.
She worked for the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office for 13 years, including five years in the major crimes unit. As a prosecutor, she handled some high-profile criminal cases, including the precedent-setting case in 1996 of Randall L. Ferguson.
The Camas man was convicted of second-degree assault for knowingly exposing a woman to HIV, which prompted a new state law that eliminated the statute of limitations and upgraded the offense of spreading HIV to first-degree assault.
Osler will have to run in November to keep the post. A panel of District Court judges will name her successor.
Five judges preside over District Court and are paid $141,710 a year.
Laura McVicker: 360-735-4516 or laura.mcvicker@columbian.com.
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