A Lifetime of Public Service
From starting her own law firm to serving as a judge,
Judge Bartov has dedicated her career to serving our communities.
Judge Michelle Bartov is an accomplished attorney with extensive experience in criminal, family, adoption, mental health treatment, and juvenile law. Michelle is committed to providing fairness and justice, ensuring every individual entering her courtroom is heard, respected, and treated with dignity.
Michelle grew up in New York and moved with her husband, Jonathan, to Oregon shortly after completing law school. She initially practiced in Eastern Oregon, helping her gain experience on a wide variety of cases including criminal misdemeanors and felonies, juvenile delinquency, adoptions and civil commitments of people with serious mental illness. Michelle went on to open her own small business, representing defendants in state and federal court, as well as finalizing adoptions for children in foster care.
Moving to Clackamas County right after the pandemic, Michelle took on a growing role in criminal defense work. Before joining the court, Michelle rose to become a board member and subsequently the Deputy Executive Director of the Clackamas indigent defense corporation, giving her experience working with the district attorney and court on how to improve access to justice. Michelle left that position earlier this year when she was appointed to serve on the Clackamas County circuit court.
Michelle's husband, Jonathan Bartov, has been a Senior Assistant Attorney General at the Oregon Department of Justice in the Child Advocacy and Protective Division for the past 8 years. Michelle and Jonathan love Oregon and the community they've made here as they raise their two children in West Linn. Michelle has been an active volunteer in the legal community, serving as the chair of the Oregon State Bar’s New Lawyers Division and as a faculty member of the Oregon Forensic Evaluator Certification Program. In her free time, she enjoys reading and exploring the wealth of outdoor experiences across our great state.
Experience and Values
Michelle was selected to be a circuit judge because she was best able to serve our community and we should vote to retain her. Michelle’s experience with the critical issues the court faces – felony crimes, family and adoption law, mental health care, and juvenile delinquency – are needed on the court. She is driven to service, giving back as a volunteer and educator in the legal community. Michelle also has direct experience helping run organizations, both as a small business owner and a leader of the public defender consortium for Clackamas County. Michelle is committed to providing fairness and justice, ensuring every individual entering her courtroom is heard, respected, and treated with dignity. Join us in voting to retain Circuit Court Judge Michelle Bartov.