Interim judge appointed to local municipal court

WL attorney Heather Karabeika takes over when Kathie Steele steps up to higher court

By Jim Hart

The West Linn Tidings, Sep 13, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

Jim Hart / West Linn Tidings

New West Linn Municipal Court Judge Heather Karabeika is pictured inside the library of her private practice in West Linn. She will begin regular Thursday court sessions in city hall next month.

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West Linn’s new municipal court judge, Heather Karabeika, has been mentored by one of the best – the woman she is replacing, Kathie Steele.

And when she begins her regular weekly service as an interim municipal judge, it will not be Karabeika’s first time on the bench in city hall. As an interim judge, she will wear Steele’s robes until the results of the March 2008 election, in which she is likely to be a candidate.

“It feels great,” she said about her new position. “I really am enjoying it, and I’m hoping that I can do it long-term.”

It would be difficult to find a new judge with more insight than Karabeika, since she has served on both sides of the court: as a prosecuting attorney beginning in 1994 for the Clackamas County District Attorney’s office and then later as a private-practice defense attorney.

She also has served as a public defense attorney for Clackamas County and the cities of Gladstone, Lake Oswego and Oregon City.

But she doesn’t come to the West Linn bench without experience as a judge. She previously has served as a pro-tem judge in West Linn and Canby.

“Sitting as the judge in West Linn certainly is an interesting development,” Karabeika said, “because when I first started (judging) I had to remember that I was not advocating for one position or another. I had to let the parties advocate, and then see if they put the pieces together.”

Looking in the mirror, Karabeika recognizes her emphasis on fairness and avoidance of bias or prejudice.

“I think I’m a pretty fair person,” she said. “I just try to do what’s right, fair and appropriate. I’m not in this for a big ego boost, and I think people will say that I’m reasonable and down-to-earth.”

Oregon City attorney Jerry Seeberger, who has served alongside Karabeika as a county prosecutor and defense attorney, says she’s smart and has a wide range of experience that will support her as a judge.

“West Linn made an excellent choice for a judge,” Seeberger said. “She has a great disposition; she’s bright and intelligent; and I think the citizens of West Linn will be well served with her on the bench.”

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