Judge Egan, Then and Now

Judge Egan grew up in Tangent, Oregon, and thus far has lived an inspiring and action packed life.

Long time family friend and Attorney at law Sarah Castleton said, "Jim has a great life story and does his job with passion." 

Throughout his junior high and high school years he was constantly getting in trouble with the law, skipping school, lying to parents and school teachers, and taking the easy way out. 

Judge Egan called himself a “Juvenile delinquent”, saying he would have his friends call his name for role in 1^st period and then proceed with his friends to the coast to participate in illegal activities.  Realizing that he was on a tough and long road to disappointment he turned his life around staying clean and sober during his senior year of high school. 

 At this point he had an instinct for politics but didn’t know if he would pursue it.  Working as a field leveler in Tangent, Judge Egan had thoughts of attending LBCC for his college education.   

His boss at the time had a close friend in the Oregon State University registration office and told Judge Egan to go talk to him about attending OSU.  Judge Egan was given a free pass into the University and started his college experience.   

While working as a sanitizer at the Smoke Shack in Albany and attending classes, Judge Egan and his girlfriend had a baby.  Realizing the hardships from the past and responsibilities that lay ahead, Judge Egan had an “epiphany” and got the notion he should be attending a better academic University.   

Applying to Reed College and Willamette University for further education, he received financial aid at Willamette and made the switch from OSU.   

Judge Egan spent 5 years in college to finish his undergrad, although he did not really have a clear idea of what he would like to do career-wise.   

At a job fair he ran into Captain Mack, a recruiter from the marine corp.  The two talked for quite some time and Judge Egan decided to join the OCS, Officer Candidate School.  Serving in the Marines from 1978 to 1984 Judge Egan really grew up.  He said he “learned how to learn.”    

After his time spent in the Marines, Judge Egan attended the University of Oregon Law School for three years.  With many different directions one can go with a law degree, he chose to take it slow and practiced general law as an attorney for 23 years.   

He always had a desire for public service, indicated from his years in the Marine Corp, and never settled for a job that did not perfectly fit his desires.   

Judge Egan was then called back into active duty for the Marines and served in Kuwait from 2008 to 2009. 

With the retirement of Judge Rick McCormick, an opening came about for a new Judge in Albany.  Judge Egan did not think he would receive this coveted position but decided to throw his name in the ring to Governor Kulongoski.  

He called his relationship with the Governor a “healthy battle” from their interactions over the years, with Judge Egan being Republican and the Governor a Democrat.  The two had been working against each other previously on opposing sides of the court but did not harbor bad feelings.
    
With this job he felt he could really serve and protect the public with all his many skills and passions.     

15 candidates had applied for the job and within a week it was reduced to five, with Judge Egan as one of them.  Each went into the Governor’s office and interviewed with the Governor’s Committee.   

Governor Kulongoski asked Judge Egan to take this position, “because his politics were honest and he served in the Marines.”  Judge Egan said, “Not everybody knows this about Governor Kulongoski but he was raised as an orphan and served in the Marines himself.” 

Paul Keubrich, a former associate and Defense Attorney said lightheartedly, "Jim is still Jim."

Judge Egan is now in a perfect position to continue his public service. 



Who: Judge Jim Egan
What: Profile, Accomplishments
Where: Albany, Oregon