Alison M Emerson at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Oregon · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends January 4, 2027
Alison M Emerson
Judge · Deschutes County Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- She currently holds the office of Circuit Court Judge – District 11, Position 7, with her term extending until January 1, 2027, and is a candidate for re-election in the 2026 Oregon Primary Election
- Alison Emerson was appointed by Oregon Governor Kate Brown as the newest judge of the Deschutes County Circuit Court, effective March 1, 2020, succeeding retiring Judge Stephen Forte
- Began her legal career at the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office from 2004 to 2006, where she contributed to a team recognized as DUI Prosecutor of the Year for Oregon.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree from Linfield College and later obtained her Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University Law School in 2003
Additional information
- Alison Emerson is a highly experienced attorney and judge with a strong background in prosecution, civil litigation, and family law.
- Bryant Emerson LLP and later at Emerson Spencer LLC in Bend, Oregon.
- After leaving the DA’s office, she entered private practice, specializing in domestic relations cases and civil litigation.
- Before her formal appointment, Emerson held the role of a judge pro tem in Deschutes County.
- Her legal experience spans criminal, civil, domestic relations, and juvenile cases, providing a broad foundation for her judicial role
- Her appointment to the Deschutes County Circuit Court reflects her legal expertise, community involvement, and dedication to fair and effective judicial service
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
Oregon OJD guidance under UTCR 3.180 requires advance permission from the judge or court designee before electronic notes, courtroom recording, or electronic transmission from the courtroom.
you need advance permission from the judge or court designee before youOregon Judicial Department: Media Coverage at the Courts ↗
Statewide
Oregon OJD guidance lists proceedings and materials where recording is not allowed, including juvenile cases, many family-law cases, voir dire, private conversations, jurors, and recesses.
Recording is never allowed forOregon Judicial Department: Media Coverage at the Courts ↗
Remote appearances
Statewide
Oregon OJD states that remote hearings use Webex and that the court provides case participants with the link to join the hearing.
The court uses Webex to host these remote hearings and will provide case participants with the link to join the hearing.Oregon Judicial Department: Remote Hearings ↗
Statewide
Oregon OJD explains that eligible remote hearings may be live-streamed for public viewing through Webex Events, subject to limitations and court access instructions.
If the remote hearing is eligible for public viewing, it will be live-streamed through Webex EventsOregon Judicial Department: Remote Hearings ↗
Livestream Access
Statewide
Oregon OJD publishes live stream access instructions and states that live streaming begins shortly before scheduled proceedings.
Live streaming of proceedings begins approximately five minutes before the scheduled proceeding time.Oregon Judicial Department: Live Stream Proceedings ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Oregon Judicial Department: Media Coverage at the Courts
Deschutes County Circuit Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
Oregon Judicial Department official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Oregon Judicial Department official judicial roster ↗Oregon Judicial Department: Media Coverage at the Courts
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Oregon Judicial Department: Media Coverage at the Courts ↗Oregon Judicial Department: Remote Hearings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Oregon Judicial Department: Remote Hearings ↗Oregon Judicial Department: Live Stream Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Oregon Judicial Department: Live Stream Proceedings ↗