Judge J. Channing Bennett: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

3rd Judicial District Circuit Court of Oregon, Department 1, Courtroom 2C

Appointed By: Gov. Katherine Brown

Biography

Hon. J. Channing Bennett is a judge for the 3rd Judicial District Circuit Court of Oregon in Marion County. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Kate Brown in 2016, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Jamese Rhoades (Ret.).

Prior to his appointment, Bennett presided for three years as a full-time (2013 to 2016) and volunteer (2010 to 2013) judge pro tem in Marion County. He was also a shareholder at Garrett Hemann Robertson, PC in Salem (2007 to 2013). Bennett joined the firm as an associate in 2003.

Before that, he worked as an associate in Boston, Massachusetts, at Barron & Stadfeld, PC (1999 to 2002) and Berluti & McLaughlin, LLC (1997 to 1999). Bennett entered private practice after serving as in-house counsel in the Law Department at Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc. in Braintree (1996 to 1997). His areas of practice included civil litigation with a focus on employment, business, and civil rights.

Bennett received an A.A. in culinary arts (1987) and a B.A. in food service management (1989) from Johnson & Wales University and a B.A. in political science and East Asian studies from the University of Arizona (1994). He went on to complete a J.D. at Boston College Law School in 1997. While a law student, Bennett was a student prosecutor with the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts (1997).

He was admitted to practice in Massachusetts (1997), the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (1998), Oregon (2002), the United States District Court for the District of Oregon (2002), and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (2003).

His memberships have included the Oregon Women Lawyers, the Willamette Valley Inns of Court, and the Marion County Bar Association.

At the time of his appointment, Bennett resided in Dayton, Oregon. Prior to pursuing his legal career, he worked as a chef.

Recent Cases by Hon. J. Channing Bennett

Steven May vs Paul Smith, Jr, Motion and Flow Control Products Inc.

On May 5, 2026 a tort - general case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

May 05, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort - General

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 18, 2026

Medford School District 1J vs Oregon Department of Education

On May 5, 2026 review - government actions case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

May 05, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Review - Government Actions

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Agency Action

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 17, 2026

Olga Tkachenko vs Northwest Human Services, Inc., Maria L Niemuth, DO, Meghan M. Ferry, PA, Salem Health, Salem Health Hospitals & Clinicsetal.

On May 4, 2026 a tort - malpractice medical case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

May 04, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

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Court Category

Tort - Malpractice Medical

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Malpractice

Case Last Refreshed

May 05, 2026

Nibroy Smith vs Andrew John Taylor

On May 4, 2026 a tort - general case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

May 04, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort - General

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 27, 2026

Mui Van vs IWINGZ, LLC

On May 1, 2026 a tort - general case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

May 01, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort - General

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

May 01, 2026

Tristan Alexander Watts vs Darin Michael Shelstad

On April 22, 2026 a tort - general case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

Apr 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort - General

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 18, 2026

Steve Bernhardt vs Oregon Department of Corrections

On April 20, 2026 a tort - general case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

Apr 20, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort - General

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 22, 2026

Childer's Meat Co., INC. vs Rudy's Steakhouse, LLC, Robert Thomas Kunke

On April 15, 2026 a contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

Apr 15, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

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Court Category

Contract

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 17, 2026

Eliseo Centeno vs Evaristo Gomez Santos

On April 3, 2026 a tort - general case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

Apr 03, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort - General

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 25, 2026

David Bradley Moore vs Lisa Lou Jones

On April 2, 2026 a tort - general case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

Apr 02, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort - General

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 04, 2026

Lluvia Vallejo-Leyva vs Miguel Sierra

On April 2, 2026 a tort - general case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

Apr 02, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort - General

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 03, 2026

Linda J. Spero vs Joseph Allen Nunziato

On March 20, 2026 a tort - general case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

Mar 20, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort - General

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 23, 2026

David Hurd vs Jerry Lehman

On March 18, 2026 a tort - general case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

Mar 18, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort - General

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 05, 2026

Stephanie M Watkins vs Corinne Marie Schambers

On March 9, 2026 a tort - general case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

Mar 09, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort - General

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 01, 2026

Cherysa Washington, Serenity Shyann Brummett, Patience Rose-Belle Caron vs Centurion Real Estate Management, LLC, Firs Housing, LLC

On March 5, 2026 a tort - general case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

Mar 05, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort - General

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 06, 2026

Michael Duran vs Deborah Fischer

On March 3, 2026 a tort - general case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

Mar 03, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort - General

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

May 01, 2026

Blanca Pena vs BARTOLO PENA

On March 2, 2026 a dissolution case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

Mar 02, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

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Court Category

Dissolution

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 04, 2026

Truist Bank vs Henry S Crapser, Sr

On February 18, 2026 a contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

Feb 18, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Contract

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 02, 2026

Rimfire Investments, LLC vs Type 2 Campers Inc., Heather Marie Bauccio, Michael Ryan Schassen, Richard Kipp, Amber Kipp

On February 18, 2026 a contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

Feb 18, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Contract

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 01, 2026

Michael Corrigan, Melodea Musser vs Tag Gresham, Inc., Ohio Casualty Insurance Company

On February 18, 2026 a tort - general case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

Feb 18, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort - General

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 03, 2026

Geoffrey Berto vs Madison Taylor Melgard, Martha Joanne Nicoloff

On February 13, 2026 a tort - general case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

Feb 13, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort - General

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 02, 2026

Tasha Walery vs Alexander James Ped

On February 10, 2026 a tort - wrongful death case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

Feb 10, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Tort - Wrongful Death

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 01, 2026

Midland Credit Management, Inc. vs Lola Calderon

On February 10, 2026 a contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

Feb 10, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Contract

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 01, 2026

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. vs Robert Kunke

On February 9, 2026 a contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Judge J. Channing Bennett presiding.

Filed

Feb 09, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. J. Channing Bennett 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for J. Channing Bennett

Court

Circuit

County

Marion County, OR

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Contract

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 01, 2026

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About

J. Channing Bennett
Current Appointment 3rd Judicial District Circuit Court of Oregon, Department 1, Courtroom 2C	3rd Judicial District Circuit Court of Oregon, Department 1, Courtroom 2C
Election/Appointment 2016 - Re-elected 2022 - Re-elected	2016 - Re-elected 2022 - Re-elected
Education J.D., Boston College Law School - 1997 B.A., University of Arizona - 1994 B.A., Johnson & Wales University - 1989 A.A., Johnson & Wales University - 1987	J.D., Boston College Law School - 1997 B.A., University of Arizona - 1994 B.A., Johnson & Wales University - 1989 A.A., Johnson & Wales University - 1987

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	OR - 3rd Judicial District Circuit Court of Oregon
Clerk phone:	+1 (503) 588-7950
Fax:	+1 (503) 588-5115

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Judge	3rd Judicial District Circuit Court of Oregon	Marion County, Oregon
Full-time Pro Tem Judge	3rd Judicial District Circuit Court of Oregon	Marion County, Oregon
Volunteer Pro Tem Judge	3rd Judicial District Circuit Court of Oregon	Marion County, Oregon
Shareholder	Garrett Hemann Robertson, PC	Marion County, Oregon
Associate	Garrett Hemann Robertson, PC	Marion County, Oregon
Associate	Barron & Stadfeld, PC	Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Associate	Berluti & McLaughlin, LLC	Suffolk County, Massachusetts
In-house Counsel	Law Department, Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc.	Norfolk County, Massachusetts