Jessica Kampfe

Jessica Kampfe JD ’06 was named executive director of Multnomah Defenders Inc., effective March 11, 2021. Kampfe is the first woman to lead a Multnomah County public defense organization that represents people in both juvenile and adult courts. MDI contracts with Oregon’s Public Defense Services Commission to represent indigent clients in Multnomah County Circuit Court and the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court, including cases involving adult and juvenile misdemeanors and felonies, contempt matters, dependency and termination of parental rights, and civil commitment appeals. Previously, Kampfe was executive director with Public Defender of Marion County. She is a statewide leader in public defense, having worked closely with the judiciary and legislature on numerous committees, including Governor Brown’s screening panel for judicial vacancies, the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association legislative committee, the Criminal Justice Commission, and the Prison Forecast Advisory Committee. Kampfe is also known as an outstanding trial attorney, representing clients accused of murder and major felonies, including Ballot Measure 11 cases. She got her start in public defense with Metropolitan Public Defender, where she handled misdemeanor and minor felony cases in Washington and Multnomah Counties, providing representation for diverse clients, including those who were not U.S. citizens.