Multnomah County Circuit Court · Position 14
Family Law · Experience · Fairness
Position 14 handles the family law docket — custody, divorce, and guardianship. These decisions shape families for years. They deserve a judge who has spent a career understanding exactly that.
Why This Race Matters
Position 14 of the Multnomah County Circuit Court handles the family law docket — custody, divorce, and guardianship cases. These are decisions about where children sleep, who raises them, and how families move forward through the hardest moments of their lives.
Multnomah County deserves a judge who knows this area of law deeply — not someone learning on the job. Bradford Gerke has spent most of his legal career in family law. He understands the nuances of Oregon's statutes, the realities of contested custody, and the lasting impact a court's rulings have on real families.
As your Circuit Court Judge, Brad will bring legal precision, well-reasoned analysis, and consistent fairness to every case — rulings grounded in the law, delivered with respect to every person who appears before the court.
"A single ruling can shape a family's future for years to come."— Bradford Gerke
Deep Experience
Brad has represented every type of client who walks into a family law courtroom — which means as a judge, he understands the case from every angle.
Brad has fought for mothers navigating custody disputes, divorce proceedings, parenting plan modifications, and protective orders — ensuring their voices are heard and their rights protected.
Brad understands the unique challenges fathers face in family court — from establishing paternity to securing parenting time — and has successfully advocated for fathers' meaningful involvement in their children's lives.
When grandparents seek visitation or custody rights, the legal landscape is complex. Brad has guided families through grandparent rights cases, recognizing the vital role extended family plays in children's wellbeing.
Brad has represented children directly — ensuring that young people caught in family court proceedings have a skilled advocate focused solely on their best interests.
About Bradford Gerke
Brad grew up in Oregon and is proud to raise his family here in the Portland Metro area. He earned his law degree from the University of Oregon School of Law and has spent more than 20 years practicing law — 17 of them devoted to Oregon family law, the exact work that Position 14 does every day.
He takes his role as a community member as seriously as he takes the law. When not in the office or in court, you'll find him coaching his kids' soccer and basketball teams, playing dodgeball and kickball with the Oregon Kickball Club, or cheering on the Blazers.
He understands firsthand what it means to make decisions with your family's future in mind — because he does it every day as a parent, a neighbor, and a committed member of this community.
Community Involvement
Brad walks his rescue dog Buster through his neighborhood regularly — a familiar face on the street, not just in the courtroom.
Brad has built his reputation on thorough, well-reasoned legal analysis. Every ruling will be grounded in Oregon law — not intuition, not politics.
Having represented mothers, fathers, grandparents, and children, Brad understands the case from every angle before him in the courtroom.
Every person who appears before the court is going through one of the hardest moments of their life. Brad will treat them accordingly — every time.
Families deserve predictable, impartial justice. Brad will apply the law consistently, full stop.
Judicial Philosophy
Applying Oregon statutes and case law faithfully — without letting the adversarial heat of family court distort the legal analysis.
In every custody and parenting matter, the wellbeing of children is the guiding star. Brad's experience representing children directly means he knows what that standard requires in practice.
Whether you have an attorney or not — every person who walks through those doors will be heard and treated with dignity.
Families in transition cannot afford indefinite uncertainty. Brad will bring focused, organized discipline to the bench — resolving matters thoroughly and without unnecessary delay.
A judge's job is to apply the law — not to take sides. Brad's experience across all client types means no one walks into his courtroom as a stranger, and no one as a favorite.
No one should leave a courtroom more confused than when they entered. Brad will ensure that rulings are explained, processes are clear, and every person understands what happened and why.
Endorsements
Brad has earned the trust and support of attorneys, community members, and leaders across the Portland Metro area who know his work and believe in his character.
Brad Gerke is knowledgeable of the law and demonstrated a strong litigation ability. He is well-prepared, tactful, and articulate — exactly the qualities you want in a judge.
Client Testimonial
Portland, Oregon
Brad understood the dynamics of my situation immediately, got us on the right track, and demonstrated genuine care for families throughout the process.
Client Testimonial
Multnomah County
Support Brad for Judge? Add your name to the growing list of Multnomah County residents who want experienced, fair family law on the bench.
Support the Campaign
Your contribution helps Brad reach Multnomah County voters with a simple message: the family law bench deserves a family law judge.
Donate NowPaid for by Gerke for Judge. Contributions are not tax-deductible. Oregon judicial campaign finance rules apply.