Kristine Almquist knows the legal system.

She's worked at every level.

Kristine Almquist hasn’t just studied our courts — she’s worked in them at every level, from legal assistant to public defender to sitting judicial officer. That depth of experience means she understands how courtrooms work in practice, not just in theory, and how the decisions made there affect real people and real families.

Multnomah County (2021–Present)

Current Role

Juvenile Hearings Referee
& Judge Pro Tem

Since 2021, Kristine has served as a full-time Juvenile Hearings Referee and Judge Pro Tem in Multnomah County, presiding over child welfare, juvenile justice, and family law matters. She is a sitting judicial officer — she already does this work every day.

In this role, she co-chairs the Multnomah County Model Court Team, collaborating with judges and practitioners to improve court processes and strengthen outcomes for families.

Sitting judicial officer since 2021 —
presiding over the same types of cases she would hear on the Circuit Court bench.”

Public Defender

Public Defender — Juvenile Law (11 Years)

For 11 years Kristine represented parents and children in dependency and termination of parental rights proceedings. She stood alongside families at some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

That experience gave her an unmatched understanding of what is at stake in family court — and what it means to ensure every person receives a fair hearing, regardless of their circumstances.

Foundation

Legal Assistant & Paralegal

Before earning her law degree, Kristine worked as a legal assistant, paralegal and as a law clerk. She started at the ground level of the legal system and worked her way up. That path gave her practical knowledge of how courts function that most attorneys simply don’t have.

Education

Lewis & Clark Law School, J.D.

Kristine earned her law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon — one of the region’s leading law schools, with a national reputation in environmental, public interest, and family law.

kristine’s full resume

J.D., Lewis and Clark Law School, Portland, OR
B.A., Political Science, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA
Oregon Judicial Department - Juvenile Hearings Referee, Judge Pro Tem, Multnomah County, OR, Juvenile Justice Complex - October 2021 – present
Currently preside over cases regarding children and families involved with Oregon Child Welfare as well as Youth in the delinquency system. As a Juvenile Court hearings referee, she is part of the Multnomah County circuit court family law bench, and therefore she hears all juvenile and family law matters for the families that she serves.
Multnomah Defenders, Inc., Portland, OR - January 2017 – September 2021
Kliewer & Associates, P.C., Portland, OR - June 2015 – December 2016
Karpstein & Verhulst, P.C., Hillsboro, OR - November 2013 – June 2015
Brindle McCaslin & Lee P.C., Hillsboro, OR - March 2013 – November 2013
Lorber, Greenfield & Polito, Portland, OR - November 2011 – March 2013
Bertoni & Associates, Portland, OR - July 2010 – November 2011
Juvenile section Attorney Assistant/Certified Law Student, Multnomah Defenders Inc., Portland, OR - March 2008 – December 2009
Legal Assistant, Banks Law Office, P.C., Portland, OR - August 2006 – March 2008
Paralegal, Layne & Lewis, LLP, Portland, OR - March 2004 – August 2006
Legal Assistant, Nwude, Okwo & Associates, El Segundo, CA - April 2003 – January 2004
Co-chair, Model Court, Multnomah County, OR - June 2024 – present
Prepare for and facilitate monthly model court team meetings with the goal of providing space for the Bench and practitioners to improve court systems and practices in Multnomah County.
Child Welfare Council Steering Committee, Multnomah County, OR
Participate in monthly meetings. The focus of the committee is to provide strategic directions to the child welfare serving system in the county, with a core focus on the safety and well-being of children, young people and families. The committee researches, discusses and promotes evidence-based and best practices that are meant to enhance safety, reduce racial and ethnic disparities, shorten the length of child welfare involvement, and support healing-centered, trauma-informed care for young people and families.
OWLS, Queen’s Bench
Secretary, February 2025 – present
Mentor, April 2026 – present
Attend monthly connections events and monthly board meetings in support of the mission of Queen’s Bench: to promote the professional advancement of women and underrepresented populations, camaraderie, and good fellowship in the legal community.

Experienced

More than 20 years working at every level of the legal system. She knows how the courts work because she has worked in them her entire career.
Equal Access to Justice

Every person who walks into a courtroom deserves to be heard. Kristine has spent her career ensuring that families and young people have a fair shot, regardless of their circumstances.
Fair and Impartial

A judge’s job is to apply the law, not to take sides. Kristine is committed to consistency, preparation, and impartiality in every case.
Dedicated to Families and Children

Kristine has devoted her professional life to juvenile law. She understands the weight of decisions that affect children and the families who love them.
Committed to Service

From working as a public defender to taking the bench as a Juvenile Hearings Referee, Kristine's record is one of sustained, serious commitment to the community she serves.