Governor appoints Logan Joseph as Union County justice of the peace

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek announced Jan. 16 that Logan L. Joseph will serve as justice of the peace for the Union County Justice Court, a move that takes effect Feb. 1, 2026. The appointment fills the judicial vacancy created by the upcoming resignation of Judge Rick Dall and ensures the court can continue handling routine county matters without interruption.

Joseph is an Oregon native with a juris doctor degree from Willamette University and a career as a general legal practitioner. His work has emphasized criminal defense and community involvement, background details that state officials highlighted as relevant to the responsibilities of the justice court. The appointment was presented as a press release-style announcement to address the immediate need for leadership at the county-level bench.

For Union County residents, the change matters because the justice court manages many of the day-to-day legal issues that touch households and small businesses. Filling the vacancy before Dall’s resignation takes effect reduces the risk of scheduling delays, backlog of cases, or temporary reassignments that can complicate access to timely hearings and local dispute resolution. With an incoming justice who has local roots and a defense practice, people appearing before the court can expect a jurist familiar with community dynamics and the realities of county life.

The selection also reflects broader priorities in filling local judicial posts: continuity, local knowledge, and professional experience. Joseph’s legal training at an in-state law school and his community ties were cited as part of the rationale for choosing a candidate able to step into the role quickly and maintain public confidence in the court system. The appointment process concludes with his effective start date of Feb. 1, when he will assume judicial duties for pending and new matters assigned to the justice court.

Practical implications include the maintenance of regular court dockets and continued availability of justice court services to residents across Union County. County officials and court staff will oversee the transition and inform litigants of any scheduling adjustments. For those who interact regularly with the justice court—parties in small claims, traffic or misdemeanor matters, and community organizations that rely on local adjudication—this appointment aims to keep proceedings local and accessible.

Joseph’s arrival marks the next chapter for the Union County Justice Court. In the weeks ahead, residents can expect administrative notices from the court about case schedules and any procedural changes as the new justice settles into the role.