Kate Lynch was appointed as the District Attorney at the Yamhill County District Attorney’s office last October, after running unopposed in the May primary election. Kate started with the office in 2007, handling a misdemeanor caseload. She was promoted in 2008 when she was assigned to prosecute juvenile dependency and delinquency cases. In 2010, she returned to adult prosecution and took over a specialized child abuse caseload.

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In 2018 Kate was promoted to Chief Deputy District Attorney. As Chief, she handled multiple homicide trials while continuing to carry a child abuse caseload. In addition to her duties mentoring and supervising departmental prosecutors, Kate was also responsible for the prosecution of major crimes, as well as chairing the Yamhill County Child Abuse Multidisciplinary and Sexual Assault Response Teams.

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Kate attended the University of Oregon, graduating with a B.A. major in Spanish and a minor in Sociology. Kate then gained her M.S.W. from Portland State and started her career in the criminal justice system as a Victim’s Advocate with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office. Kate went on to work as a Probation Officer with Multnomah County Department of Community Justice, starting in the Family Services Division and later carrying a gender specific female caseload. Inspired by her experiences across the spectrum of the criminal justice system, Kate enrolled at Lewis and Clark Law School, attending classes at night while she continued to work as a Probation Officer. Kate’s goal in pursuing a law degree was to become a prosecutor so she could work to protect the community, achieve justice for crime victims and help to ensure fair outcomes and accountability for defendants in the criminal justice system.

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Kate enjoys living in McMinnville with her husband John and their pandemic puppy Walter, both of whom keep her busy.