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title: "Darleen Ortega | KnowJudges"
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# Darleen Ortega

Oregon Court of Appeals · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Oregon Court of Appeals
- State: Oregon
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Court of Appeals of Oregon, 2003-present
- Darleen Ortega has been a judge on the Oregon Court of Appeals since 2003, appointed by Governor Ted Kulongoski to replace Rives Kistler
- Before joining the bench, Ortega practiced civil litigation at both trial and appellate levels for 14 years, working in Portland law firms Bullivant Houser Bailey (1992–1995) and Davis Wright Tremaine (1995–2003), where she became partner in 1998
- American attorney and judge on the Oregon Court of Appeals, the first woman of Hispanic heritage and the first woman of color to serve on that court
- Ortega teaches Access to Justice at the College of Law at Willamette University and is a pro tem instructor at the University of Oregon School of Law

### Education

- J.D. cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School in 1989
- George Fox University — B.A.

### Additional information

- She was elected to a full six-year term in 2004 and re-elected in 2010 and 2016.
- Practitioner, 2002-2002
- Date of birth: 1962
- Recognized as the only Latina and first woman of color on the court
- Known for progressive rulings and public engagement in justice issues
- Banks High School
- Birth place: Montebello

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### electronic devices recording

Scope: 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.

Evidence excerpt: you need advance permission from the judge or court designee before you

[Oregon Judicial Department: Media Coverage at the Courts](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/news/pages/covering-courts.aspx)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### recording limits

Scope: 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.

Evidence excerpt: Recording is never allowed for

[Oregon Judicial Department: Media Coverage at the Courts](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/news/pages/covering-courts.aspx)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote hearing platform

Scope: statewide

Oregon OJD states that remote hearings use Webex and that the court provides case participants with the link to join the hearing.

Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/services/online/Pages/RemoteHearings.aspx)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote public access

Scope: 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.

Evidence excerpt: If the remote hearing is eligible for public viewing, it will be live-streamed through Webex Events

[Oregon Judicial Department: Remote Hearings](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/services/online/Pages/RemoteHearings.aspx)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### livestream access

Scope: statewide

Oregon OJD publishes live stream access instructions and states that live streaming begins shortly before scheduled proceedings.

Evidence excerpt: Live streaming of proceedings begins approximately five minutes before the scheduled proceeding time.

[Oregon Judicial Department: Live Stream Proceedings](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/services/online/Pages/live-stream.aspx)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/courts/Pages/judges.aspx)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/courts/Pages/judges.aspx)
- [Oregon Judicial Department official judicial roster](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/courts/Pages/judges.aspx)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8195/darleen-ortega/)
- [Oregon Judicial Department: Media Coverage at the Courts](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/news/pages/covering-courts.aspx)
- [Oregon Judicial Department: Remote Hearings](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/services/online/Pages/RemoteHearings.aspx)
- [Oregon Judicial Department: Live Stream Proceedings](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/services/online/Pages/live-stream.aspx)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8195/darleen-ortega/)
- [Wikidata: Darleen Ortega](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5223831)

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