Thomas M. “TJ” Spear, Jr., ’84, a lawyer in Bend, Ore., with a private practice focusing on criminal defense and litigation, announced his candidacy in March for Oregon’s Circuit Judge of the Deschutes County Circuit Court.

Prior to his entering private practice, Spear was a deputy district attorney in the State of Oregon for over 12 years. He is an accomplished trial attorney having both prosecuted and defended high-profile criminal cases, including murder and other serious crimes. Spear also previously served as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy and worked in the energy industry.