Linn County Deputy District Attorney Keith B. Stein has been appointed as a judge to the Linn County Circuit Court.
Stein fills a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge David E. Delsman. His appointment is effective immediately.
“Keith Stein is deeply dedicated to his community and the rule of law,” said Gov. Kate Brown, who made the appointment. “He has the experience, temperament, and compassion to be an outstanding judge on the Linn County bench.”
Stein has worked in the Linn County District Attorney’s Office for more than 15 years. He also helps train law enforcement officials as a legal instructor for the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.
Previously, Stein practiced as an attorney at the Long Delapoer Healy McCann and Noonan firm. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern Utah University, and his law degree from Willamette University College of Law.
In addition to his legal practice, Stein is involved in his community. Among other things, he volunteers as a high school mock trial instructor, participates in the annual Fish of Albany food drive, and previously served on the executive committee of Boy Scouts of America.
Stein also has a passion for film; even after he started practicing law, he continued working part-time as a projectionist for a movie theater in Albany.
Stein also speaks Russian and Lithuanian.
He and his wife have four children.
Other candidates for the judicial vacancy were Coleen Cerda, Michael Flinn, Tomas Hernandez, Teri Plagmann and Leonard Williamson.
Delsman retired in November. He was appointed by Gov. Gov. Kitzhaber in March 2013 and was elected in November 2014 and May 2020.
Stein will complete Delsman’s term of office, which expires on Jan. 1, 2027, and he can then run for office.
– Alex Paul, Linn County Communications Officer