Bringing thoughtful judgement shaped by education and real-world service
Judge Amit Kapoor believes every person deserves fairness, dignity, and respect in the courtroom. With experience across criminal, civil, family, and juvenile matters, he brings careful judgment, impartiality, and a deep commitment to the rule of law.
Testimonials
Mayor Kaarin Knudson Priscila Hasselman Sara Rich, LCSW Greg Rikhoff Kitty Piercy, former Mayor, Eugene Brennan Symes, Attorney Brian Walker, Public Defender Services of Lane County Derek Johnson, Attorney John F. Helmer
At a time when confidence in democratic institutions is being tested, local elections are more important than ever. Choosing judges who are committed to the rule of law, due process, and equal justice under the law is one of the most direct ways that voters can strengthen our democracy.
Lane County is fortunate to have Judge Amit Kapoor on the Circuit Court bench, and we should keep it that way. His knowledge, integrity, and commitment to justice support our community everyday.
In nearly six years on the bench, Judge Kapoor has demonstrated strong legal expertise and thoughtful judgment. He treats every person with respect, and every person in his courtroom understands the intelligence and care he brings to judicial responsibility.
Electing circuit court judges is one of the most important responsibilities that local voters hold.
This May, I hope you will join me in re-electing Circuit Court Judge Amit Kapoor.
Mayor Kaarin Knudson
I am proud to endorse Judge Amit Kapoor for reelection to the Lane County Circuit Court. For most of the past four years, I have presented cases before Judge Kapoor in Juvenile Court, and I have seen firsthand the care, fairness, and thoughtfulness he brings to the bench. He is consistently prepared, reviews reports and relevant information in advance and asks meaningful questions so he can make well-informed decisions. It is clear that he understands the seriousness of his role and does not take lightly the impact his decisions have on youth, families, and the broader community.
What stands out most to me is Judge Kapoor’s ability to balance accountability with compassion. In Juvenile Court, that balance matters. Young people need structure, honesty, and consequences, but they also need to know they are seen as human beings with potential. Judge Kapoor holds youth accountable while remaining genuinely invested in their future. That combination of firmness and humanity is one of the reasons he has earned my respect.
I also believe our courts are stronger when they reflect the communities they serve. A judge who understands, through lived experience, what it means to navigate the world as a person from an immigrant and minority background brings valuable perspective to the bench. That perspective does not replace the rule of law – it strengthens it. It deepens a judge’s understanding of the people who come before the court and reinforces public confidence that justice can be both fair and humane.
Judge Kapoor’s presence on the bench adds value not only in the courtroom, but to our community as a whole. Representation matters. Perspective matters. And in a justice system that serves people from many backgrounds, those qualities are an asset.
Just as important, Judge Kapoor brings humility to his work. He is open to feedback, willing to listen, and willing to acknowledge when he gets something wrong. That humility, paired with integrity, preparation, and compassion, is exactly what we should want in a judge.
For all of these reasons, I support Judge Amit Kapoor for reelection and hope Lane County voters will do the same.
Priscila Hasselman
I am writing to express my strong support for Judge Amit Kapoor as a Lane County Circuit Court Judge.
As a licensed clinical social worker who works primarily with court-involved families, I have had the opportunity to testify in Judge Kapoor’s courtroom on several occasions. In each instance, I found him to be thoughtful, compassionate, and well-versed in both the law and the complex dynamics of family systems. Since his appointment by Governor in 2020, Judge Kapoor has demonstrated a consistent approach of firm yet empathetic leadership from the bench.
In my interactions with him, I have been struck by his intelligence, humility, and clear commitment to serving our community with integrity. He approaches his role with a genuine dedication to fairness and a willingness to continually learn and improve.
Additionally, Judge Kapoor brings valuable cultural diversity to the bench.
As a former Human Rights Commissioner for the City of Eugene, I understand the importance of representation in our judicial system. As a person of color and an immigrant, Judge Kapoor reflects the inclusive values our community strives to uphold.
For these reasons, I strongly support Judge Kapoor’s continued service on the Lane County Circuit Court.
Sara Rich, LCSW
Lane County is fortunate to have Judge Amit Kapoor’s service on our circuit court bench. We need his experience, thoughtfulness, fairness, and decency now more than ever. Judge Kapoor, is also the only immigrant and man of color on the Lane County Circuit Court bench. This resonates with many of the individuals and families who appear before him. As we all know, a true and meaningful justice system requires a full and diverse bench.
Throughout his nearly six years of service in the position, Judge Kapoor has consistently reflected both his deep legal knowledge and his unique life experiences. We need to retain his experience and wisdom.
I have had the honor of knowing Judge Kapoor for many years as an educator, defense attorney and judge. Without fail, I found him to be smart, judicious, compassionate and fair. He listens thoughtfully, engages meaningfully, and deliberates carefully.
When it comes to our justice system, getting it right matters. The Governor got it right when she appointed Judge Kapoor after a thorough and rigorous vetting process. Voters got it right when we elected him six years ago. Let’s get it right again by re-electing Judge Amit Kapoor.
Greg Rikhoff
In these challenging times, our judicial system is extremely important. It stands for impartial justice and fairness as the core of good governance and equality. It’s the protection we all count on to keep all our families safe and secure in often unsettling times.
Judge Amit Kapoor is well respected by his peers and community members for upholding the rule of law with compassion, careful deliberation and thoughtfulness. He understands his duty to the public, all of us. He has earned reelection. Join me in voting for Judge Amit Kapoor.
Kitty Piercy, former Mayor, Eugene
I had the privilege of clerking for Judge Amit Kapoor and witnessing firsthand how he approached every case. Each day I watched him change lives by doing everything he could to reach the right decision. As his law clerk, I had a front row seat to the inner workings of his chambers and was consistently blown away by the high level, thoughtful way he analyzed every issue presented before him in a court of law.
Judge Kapoor helped shape my perspective on what it means to be a judge. He is compassionate, hardworking, respects the law, and willing to go the extra mile. And not just for the parties in front of him, but to mentor newer legal professionals. Even now, when I’m required to stay late at work, I often think back to how Judge Kapoor would do the exact same thing.
Brennan Symes, Attorney:
I have known and worked with Judge Kapoor in both personal and professional capacities since 2014, when I began practicing at the Public Defender’s Office in Lane County. From the outset, he has consistently demonstrated that he is a tireless worker and a compassionate person who brings deep knowledge and experience to serving the public.
As a public defender, Judge Kapoor had a rare ability to advocate fiercely for our clients while also appreciating the perspectives of deputy district attorneys and alleged victims. His skill in finding common ground within an adversarial system led to better outcomes for clients and stronger relationships across the legal community.
These qualities are exactly what we need in a trial court judge, and they are exactly what Judge Kapoor brings to the bench.
Brian Walker, Public Defender Services of Lane County
When Judge Kapoor was appointed to the bench he was rigorously vetted by colleagues and peers. He was then overwhelmingly elected by the people of Lane County. In his six years on the bench, Judge Kapoor has vindicated that appointment and election. He works hard — to get justice done, and to do it right. He is respectful of all who appear before him. He brings a life story — family, education and career — that enriches the Lane County Circuit Court bench, furthering the goal of treating everyone even handedly and with dignity. We should re-elect him to continue this important work.
Derek Johnson, Attorney
As a voter I have often found myself with little information about judge candidates so it is a real pleasure to share my direct experience with an endorsement of Amit Kapoor for reelection to the Lane County Circuit Court.
I have been a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for 12 years and in that role have appeared in juvenile court before a number of judges. What I’ve learned is that, beyond the legalities of a hearing, the way a judge interacts with a child can have a major impact. Judges are an imposing presence but Judge Kapoor does an excellent job of speaking naturally with a child, engaging them in conversation, demonstrating that he remembers the details of their lives, encouraging them, and sharing lessons from his own life. His humanity and humility are present every day in court.
Judge Kapoor is an exceptional individual and deserves our support for reelection to the Lane County Circuit Court.
