Washington County's Board of Commissioners appointed Cortney Duke-Driessen to lead the Office of County Counsel. The county's in-house legal team carries a $6.2 million annual budget and 16 full-time staff.

Duke-Driessen, a 13-year county veteran, has been serving as interim chief attorney since July 14. She replaces Alex Barnett, who left the position after roughly one year on the job.

Board Chair Kathryn Harrington praised Duke-Driessen in a county announcement posted Tuesday, Sept. 1, calling her "an experienced leader and accomplished attorney" with a deep commitment to the county. Harrington said she is grateful Duke-Driessen agreed to provide management and strategic direction for the office.

Duke-Driessen said she is thankful for the appointment and acknowledged Barnett's leadership during his tenure.

Because the office advises every county department, its legal work extends to transportation, capital construction and land-use decisions across the county, including in Tigard and Tualatin. The office also represents the Housing Authority, the Enhanced Sheriff's Patrol District, the Urban Road Maintenance District and Cooperative Library Services.

Duke-Driessen's county career has spanned capital projects, transportation, facilities, parks and the use of federal COVID-19 recovery funds. She also served as interim lead attorney from June 2024 to June 2025, before Barnett was hired.

Barnett started as county counsel in June 2025. The Oregonian reported in July that the board unanimously approved a settlement totaling roughly $276,000, including nearly a year's salary and accrued paid time off. The reason for Barnett's departure remains unclear, according to that reporting.

At the July 14 board meeting where the settlement was approved, Harrington said, "Thank you very much Alex for your service, and we appreciate you taking the risk in joining Washington County."

Before joining the county, Duke-Driessen spent 10 years as a managing partner at Schroeder Law Offices, where she negotiated intergovernmental agreements and handled civil litigation for special districts and agricultural water organizations. She holds a law degree from Valparaiso School of Law in Indiana.

The county has not announced a next board meeting or public comment period related to the appointment.