Statesman Journal mini-questionnaire for 2012 General Election Thank you for responding to this questionnaire, which is for

use by Statesman Journal Editorial Board members in evaluating candidates for potential endorsements in the Nov. 6 General Election. Your answers also will be shared with reporters and may be published in the print newspaper and on StatesmanJournal.com. If you completed our questionnaire for the primary season, youll notice that some requested information is similar. We ask you to provide it again in case any of your previous data or answers have changed. (If you cant find a copy of your previous answers, let us know and well gladly send one.) Please answer each question and return this questionnaire to the Editorial Board via email as an attached Word document. The boards email address: Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com Deadline for submitting your questionnaire: 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, or earlier.
Questions? Contact Editorial Page Editor Dick Hughes, 503-399-6727, dhughes@StatesmanJournal.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your name: Nena Cook Age: 46

(If your age will change before the Nov. 6 election, please indicate your birthday. We want to make sure we use accurate ages in editorials and news coverage. )

Political party (if this is a partisan office): n/a Position you are seeking (name of position, district number): Judge of the Oregon Supreme Court, Position 3 I plan to attend the editorial board meeting scheduled for: 11:00 AM, Monday, October 1 Number of years living in the area you seek to represent: Twenty-four Do you affirm that you are a full-time resident of that area? Yes City/town of residence: Portland

Family (name of spouse/partner, number and ages of children if at home, number of grown children): Two children, ages 5 and 8 Education: Gonzaga University, Bachelor of Arts Degree, 1984 1988 Willamette University College of Law, Juris Doctor, 1988 1991 Portland State University, Masters of Business Administration program, attended 1996 1998. I left the program to focus on my law practice. Current occupation and employer: Partner, Sussman Shank Military service: n/a Employment history: - Certified Law Student, Marion County District Attorney, 1989-1991. I prosecuted criminal cases and tried fifteen cases to conclusion before a jury. - 1991-92 - Associate, Grenley Rotenberg. Represented individuals in probate, personal injury, wrongful death, ERISA claims and securities violations. - 1992-93 - Associate, Carney Buckley. Represented unions in contract negotiations, before the NLRB and the ERB. Represented union members in family law matters, consumer disputes, landlord-tenant issues and personal injury cases. - 1993-95. Associate, Ericsson and Associates. Focused on admiralty claims, insurance coverage disputes, small business disputes and personal injury. - 1995-Present - Partner, Sussman Shank. Focus on commercial litigation, complex business disputes, appellate law and defense of professional negligence claims. - 2007-present Judge Pro Tem for the 4th Judicial District for Multnomah County. I preside over a docket that includes motions for summary judgment. Community involvement/volunteer history: Oregon State Bar - President-Elect and President, 2004 2005 - Oregon Commission on Professionalism, 2005

OSB Board of Governors, 2002-2005 Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Representative, 2000-2003 OSB Procedure and Practice Committee, 1999-2002 Multnomah County Judicial Screening Committee, 1999-2002 Federal Practice & Procedure Committee, 1997-1999, Chair 1999

Oregon Commission for Women, 2007 2010 Campaign for Equal Justice, 2000 present - Campaign Advisory Board, 2007 present - Sections Giving Committee Co-Chair, 2007 present American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, 2006 2010 Pro Bono Representation Panel, U.S. District Court, 2006 present Oregon Women Lawyers Foundation, Board Members, 2007 present Metro Crisis Line, 1990 - 1997

Please list all public offices to which youve been elected, and when: n/a Please list any unsuccessful candidacies for public office, and when: n/a Other prior political and government experience: Oregon Commission for Women, 2007 2010 Pro Bono Representation Panel, U.S. District Court, 2006 present Oregon State Bar President-Elect and President, 2004 2005: In 2005, I testified before the Ways and Means committee in support of adequately funding for the judiciary and indigent defense. In 2004 and 2005, I spent time lobbying individual legislators for adequate funding. - Oregon Commission on Professionalism, 2005 - OSB Board of Governors, 2002-2005 - Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Representative, 2000-2003 - OSB Procedure and Practice Committee, 1999-2002 - Multnomah County Judicial Screening Committee, 1999-2002 - Federal Practice & Procedure Committee, 1997-1999, Chair 1999 How much your general election campaign will cost:

My goal is to effectively communicate to voters that I am the strongest choice for this position on the Supreme Court, and that will take a substantial amount of money. We are working to raise $125,000 for our voter communication efforts. Key endorsements you have received:
Current and Former Elected Officials Statewide, Congressional and Legislative Former Governor Vic Atiyeh Former Secretary of State and Superintendent of Public Instruction Norma Paulus Former Attorney General Dave Frohnmayer Congressman Kurt Schrader Former State Senator Neil Bryant Former State Senator and Clackamas County Commissioner-elect Martha Schrader Former State Representative Gail Shibley Former State Representative Judy Stiegler State Representative Tim Freeman County Commissioners Clackamas County Commissioner Ann Lininger Douglas County Commissioner Doug Robertson Washington County Commissioner Dick Schouten Multnomah County Chair Jeff Cogen Former Multnomah County Commissioner Serena Cruz Walsh Judicial Clackamas County Circuit Court Judge-elect Michael Wetzel Jackson County Circuit Court Judge G. Philip Arnold Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Tim Gerking Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Harris Lane County Circuit Court Judge Mustafa Kasubhai Marion County Circuit Court Judge (Ret.) Pamela L. Abernethy Marion County Circuit Court Judge Mary Mertens James Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge (Ret.) Sidney A. Galton Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Janice Wilson Polk County Circuit Court Judge-elect Sally Avera Washington County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Erwin Washington County Circuit Court Judge Oscar Garcia Washington County Circuit Court Judge Gayle Nachtigal Washington County Circuit Court Judge Suzanne Upton Law Enforcement (District Attorneys and Sheriffs) Benton County District Attorney John Haroldson Clackamas County District Attorney John Foote Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis Columbia County District Attorney Steve Atchison Coos County District Attorney R. Paul Frasier Crook County District Attorney Daina Vitolins Curry County District Attorney Everett Dial Former Deschutes County District Attorney Michael Dugan Gilliam County District Attorney Marion Weatherford Grant County District Attorney Ryan Joslin Hood River County District Attorney John Sewell Jefferson County District Attorney Steven Leriche

Klamath County District Attorney Edwin Caleb Lane County District Attorney Alex Gardner Lincoln County District Attorney Rob Bovett Linn County District Attorney Jason Carlile Malheur County District Attorney Daniel Norris Marion County District Attorney Walt Beglau Morrow County District Attorney Justin Nelson Multnomah Country District Attorney Michael Schrunk Sherman County District Attorney Wade McLeod Tillamook County District Attorney William Porter Union County District Attorney Tim Thompson Wallowa County District Attorney Mona Williams Wasco County District Attorney Eric Nisley Washington County District Attorney Robert Hermann Wheeler County District Attorney Daniel Ousley Benton County Sheriff Diana Simpson Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin Former Douglas County Sheriff Chris Brown Tillamook County Sheriff Andy Long Wallowa County Sheriff Fred Steen Wasco County Sheriff Rick Eiesland Washington County Sheriff Pat Garrett Former Oregon State Bar Presidents William Carter Robert H. Fraser Judy Henry Mark Johnson Roberts Albert Menashe Carl Neil Dennis Rawlinson Kevin Strever Bill Wheatley Organizations Teamsters Joint Council 37 Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund ILWU Oregon Area District Council Oregon Business Association Oregon Stonewall Democrats

How the public can reach your campaign (remember that this information may be published): Mail address: 2236 SE 10th Avenue Portland, OR 97214 E-mail address: info@NenaCookforOregonSupremeCourt.org Web site URL:

www.NenaCookforOregonSupremeCourt.org Phone: 971-266-0065 Fax: 503-467-5558 Please limit your response to each of the following questions to about 75 words but be specific. 1. Have you ever been convicted of a crime, been disciplined by a professional licensing board/organization or had an ethics violation filed against you? If so, please give the details. No. 2. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy, been delinquent on your taxes or other major accounts, or been sued personally or professionally? If so, please give the details. I was sued along with four other attorneys and three law firms. The plaintiff alleged the defendants and their law firms were negligent in their legal representation of him. The court held the defendants conduct did not cause the plaintiff any harm and dismissed the case against all of them. 3. Why should people vote for you? What separates you from your opponent(s)? Not only do I bring a broad set of legal experiences to the Court, but I also would bring a different perspective than many on the Court. Three of the seven justices came to the Court directly from the Court of Appeals, and a fourth will be elected this year because he is running unopposed. We need more diversity of experiences on the court in order to more fairly represent the diverse population of Oregon. I have traveled to every county in Oregon and practiced law in nearly all of them, and I understand the differences and similarities among Oregonians. I would bring a fair and balanced approach to our states highest court, and I would be accountable to the people of Oregon. 4. What are the three most important issues you would address if elected? How? (75 words for each
issue)

A. Budget challenges We need a judicial system that has the resources to ensure access to justice for all Oregonians. All disputes must be decided in a timely manner. We need to make sure the judicial system runs efficiently and effectively, but we also need to make sure it has enough funds allocated to it so that it functions smoothly. I would work with the Chief Justice, as needed and requested, to meet any budget challenge. B. Implementation of eCourt - Also essential to this assured access is the Oregon eCourt, which

allows twenty-four hour access to information and which I would like to see expanded. I would help in any way requested to help ensure a smooth implementation of this program. C. Public outreach - I see an opportunity to increase the understanding of the judicial system and what it does through increased public outreach and education. I would be more than happy to go on the road to talk with students and other Oregonians about our judicial system. 5. What do you see as other important issues? We live in a time of seemingly increasing divisive politics. As a justice, I would maintain and respect the dignity of all those who come before the Court in the hopes that, by my actions, we could bring a deeper understanding of our government, including the judicial branch. 6. How would you describe your political style or for judicial candidates, your judicial temperament? I approach every case with an open mind and with a sense of humility and respectfulness. Before I take the bench, I have read and considered all the materials the parties have submitted for my consideration. During oral argument, I ask questions aimed at getting to the crux of the matter. I then make a decision that I hope is clear and decisive. 7. If you are an incumbent, what have you achieved during your current term? If you are not an incumbent, how have you prepared yourself for this position? I have been a pro tem judge for nearly 6 years. During that time, I have heard and ruled upon hundreds of cases and never had the moving party or responding party request that I recuse myself because they were concerned that I was predisposed to one side or the other, or that I could not be fair or impartial. I have been appealed just twice in all those hundreds of decisions. The first time was in March of 2010 when the Court of Appeals affirmed my ruling without further comment. The second time occurred in April of 2012 when a three-member panel of the Court of Appeals partially overturned one of my decisions. 8. What is the largest budget you have handled, and in what capacity? I was Chair of our Firms Litigation Department for four years and one of the three members on our Firms Management Committee for three years. While our budget is confidential, we have 30 lawyers and over 50 full and part time employees employed by our Firm. The Management Committee is responsible for all financial decisions made on behalf of the Firm and its employees. 9. What is the largest number of employees youve supervised, and in what capacity?

When I was Chair of our Litigation Department, I directly supervised 10 lawyers and 15 staff members. As an equity partner in the firm, I have supervisory authority and responsibility over all our employees. 10. Who is your role model for this office the person/people you would most like to emulate? Jeff Misley is one of my law partners and a former managing partner of our firm. He guided our firm for 10 years during a time of great expansion. He is a talented lawyer and even better person. He is always respectful to everyone he meets and can often be found in the lunchroom talking with employees about their weekend or their passions. He is committed to his clients, kind to all, and one of the smartest people I know. 11. Any skeletons in your closet or other potentially embarrassing information that you want to disclose before it comes up in the campaign? There are no skeletons in my closet or other embarrassing information. 12. As a public official, your views on public issues are relevant to voters and potential constituents. Please indicate whether you support or oppose each of these statewide measures on the Nov. 6 ballot. (This question does not apply to judicial candidates.) Measure 77, catastrophic disaster Measure 78, separation of powers Measure 79, real estate transfer taxes Measure 80, marijuana legalization Measure 81, gillnetting ban Measure 82, allows private casinos Measure 83, authorizes Wood Village casino Measure 84, eliminates inheritance tax Measure 85 shifts corporate kicker to K-12 schools Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No

Thank you. Again, please submit your questionnaire as an attached Word document to Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com no later than 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012.