Walters sworn in as Oregon Supreme Court chief justice

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Martha Walters has been sworn in as chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court.

Walters was elected by her fellow justices to succeed Thomas Balmer, who has served on the court since 2001 and will remain on the bench. She is the first woman to lead Oregon’s highest court.

Walters tells The Oregonian/OregonLive she plans to use her new role to ensure Oregonians have access to a fair and impartial justice system.

She will preside over the seven-member court for the next six years.

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Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com