Keri J. Smith

Judge Keri J. Smith was appointed to serve as a Circuit Court Judge in August 2024 by Governor Tina Kotek and was subsequently elected to retain that position in November 2024. Her current term expires on January 4, 2031. Judge Smith graduated from the University of Idaho in 2001 with Bachelors of Science in Crime and Justice Studies and Political Science. In 2004, she received her law degree from the University of Idaho College of Law. Prior to her appointment, Judge Smith worked in private practice focusing primarily on family law matters. She also handled adult guardianships and conservatorships as well as criminal matters. She enjoyed being in the courtroom. Judge Smith is a member of the Oregon State Bar and the Linn-Benton Bar Association. She also serves on the Benton County Family Law Advisory Committee and the Oregon State Bar Family Law Executive Committee. Prior to her appointment to the Benton County Circuit Court, she also was a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She has also been a member of the Linn County Arbitration Committee and the Oregon Women Lawyers (Linn/Benton Chapter). Judge Smith spends her spare time traveling, golfing, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.