Wes Williams Retires Early from Judicial Office
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, November 5th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
UNION COUNTY & WALLOWA COUNTIES – (Release from the 10th Judicial District) Circuit Court Judge Wes Williams has retired from the bench in Union and Wallowa counties (10th Judicial District), effective October 31, 2024. Originally elected in 2018 to a term beginning in January 2019, Williams lost to La Grande attorney Jared Boyd in the May 2024 primary election.
Williams’ early retirement comes two months before his original elected term of office would have expired at the end of December 2024. In his retirement letter to Governor Kotek, Williams indicated that he will not apply to be a senior, or “Plan B” judge*. Williams will be returning to his private practice as an attorney.
The Oregon Judicial Department has scheduled visiting and senior judges to cover the court docket in former Judge Williams’ courtroom until Judge-elect Boyd takes the bench in early January 2025 to begin a six-year term.
Judge Thomas Powers, the presiding judge for the 10th Judicial District, was re-elected in the May 2024 primary. His new six-year term also begins in January 2025.
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* Some retiring judges agree to continue work as senior judges 30 days a year for five years, without salary, to assist where needed around the state in exchange for additional retirement benefits. Williams chose to forego that option.
