Meet John Casalino
RUNNING FOR MULTNOMAH COUNTY JUDGE - POSITION 5
A Legal Career Defined by Public Service
John’s legal journey began in 1997. After starting in civil practice, he found his true calling in public service. He spent 24 years as a Deputy District Attorney in Multnomah County and now serves statewide as a Senior Assistant Attorney General at the Oregon Department of Justice.
As a deputy district attorney he handled all crimes from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Under District Attorney Mike Schrunk, John was promoted to Senior Deputy District Attorney. Under District Attorney Rod Underhill, he rose to the level of Chief Deputy. As Chief, in addition to prosecuting cases, John oversaw specialized units focused on the most sensitive issues facing families: child abuse, domestic violence, juvenile justice, and child support.
For 14 of his years at the District Attorney’s Office, John was in the Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Team–serving as the leader of that team for seven of those years. In this role he protected children and strengthened families. He exclusively prosecuted the most serious crimes against children, including physical abuse, abusive head trauma, burns, rape, sexual abuse, aggravated murder, and murder.
He litigated and tried high-risk, high-lethality child maltreatment dependency cases. This work as a child abuse prosecutor not only required extensive knowledge of the law and rules of evidence but also an extreme work ethic and sensitivity to families’ trauma to navigate challenging outcomes. During this time, he continually advised law enforcement, the Department of Human Services and other community partners on ways to improve service and support for families.
Meet John CasalinoRestoring Trust Across Oregon
In 2022, John joined the Oregon Department of Justice as a Senior Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Justice Division. His commitment to the principle that “justice shouldn’t depend on where you live” took him across the state to less-resourced communities.
From November 2022 through February 2024, John had the distinct privilege of serving as the Interim District Attorney of Klamath County. During his time there he embedded himself in the community. He worked tirelessly to revive, rebuild, and restore trust between county residents and the legal system. He worked closely with county systems, law enforcement and other community partners.
John Casalino:
Interim DA makes his mark on Klamath County
Herald and NewsLeadership and Expertise Beyond the Courtroom
John’s expertise is sought after in Multnomah County and beyond. He has served on or chaired:
Oregon’s Children’s Justice Act Task Force
The State of Oregon Child Fatality Review Team
The Governing Board of CARES NW (Child Abuse Response and Evaluation Services)
Chair of the Multnomah County Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)
Chair of the Multnomah County Child Fatality Review Team
Multnomah County Family Violence Coordinating Council
Co-Chair, Multnomah County Sexual Assault Response Team
Klamath County Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)
Klamath County Major Crimes Team
John has taught around Oregon
Instructor for Oregon Department of Justice Academy for Prosecutors
Instructor For Oregon Department of Justice Domestic Violence Academy
Trainer for lawyers, law enforcement, child protection workers and victim advocates across the state on evidence, legal principles, trial advocacy, investigation and victims rights
Before Law School
After living and working in Washington DC, John traveled to Eastern Europe in the early 90s–soon after the fall of Communism–and worked to start and sustain investigative student journalism throughout these newly emerging free democracies. He witnessed first hand the transformative power of establishing and preserving the rule of law and its necessity in safeguarding individual freedoms and promoting just outcomes.
John was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised by his mother and grandmother upstate next door to his aunt, uncle and cousins. He was greatly influenced by his uncle, a Captain in the New York City Police Department. Inspired by his uncle's respectful, steady, and service-oriented example, John has made these values a guiding principle in his own career.
John graduated from his local public high school. He is a first-generation college graduate and met his wife at Vassar College. John spent his first summer during law school in Oregon. His wife, who is from Portland, easily convinced him that Multnomah County should be the place where they would live and raise a family. They have been married for nearly 28 years. Many of those years were spent helping their children to become responsible, kind people. Along the way, they supported their kids’ basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, cross-country, track, debate, drama and math interests. Many summers the family road tripped around Oregon. Somehow, those kids have already become young adults and are pursuing their own careers.
John and his wife live in Southwest Portland with their small rescue dog.
