Sam Tenney is a legal affairs reporter for The Daily Journal of Commerce (Oregon), specializing in courts, law enforcement accountability, and commercial litigation. His work bridges legal complexity and public interest, particularly in matters affecting judicial integrity and urban development.
Tenney’s trajectory began with a focus on municipal court proceedings, where he honed his ability to translate legalese into accessible stories. Over time, his coverage expanded to include high-stakes commercial litigation and land use disputes, establishing him as a trusted voice in Oregon’s legal community. His investigative piece on Sheriff Kent van der Kamp’s Brady listing exemplifies his commitment to holding power accountable.
This groundbreaking report revealed how a sitting sheriff’s dishonesty jeopardized decades of criminal convictions. Tenney meticulously traced the district attorney’s decision-making process and contextualized the broader implications for judicial integrity. His sourcing included exclusive interviews with prosecutors and a deep dive into Brady protocol precedents.
“Van der Kamp’s placement on the Brady list isn’t just about one officer—it’s about preserving the foundation of trust our legal system requires.”
Tenney analyzed 18 months of court filings to identify a 27% increase in breach-of-contract cases tied to pandemic-era agreements. The article became essential reading for corporate counsel, featuring insights from judges about evolving standards for force majeure clauses.
This three-part series dissected how appellate courts are reshaping urban development policies. Tenney’s coverage of the Green v. Portland Planning Commission case demonstrated his knack for connecting courtroom decisions to community impacts.
Tenney consistently highlights structural changes over isolated incidents. A pitch about innovative case management systems in Oregon courts succeeded because it aligned with his interest in institutional accountability. Reference his analysis of electronic filing adoption rates in commercial courts.
His coverage of Brady list expansions shows how he roots national issues in regional impacts. Successful pitches draw clear connections between broader legal movements and their Oregon-specific ramifications.
The commercial litigation trends piece proved his appetite for quantifiable insights. Proposals incorporating court statistics or case outcome analyses receive priority consideration.
Tenney prioritizes fact-based reporting over commentary. A rejected pitch about “future of policing” theories lacked the concrete case examples that drive his work.
His land use series referenced California environmental law decisions. Pitches that identify relevant legal parallels from other states’ courts align with his comparative approach.
2024 Oregon Media Award for Investigative Reporting
Tenney received this accolade for his Brady list investigation, which the judges praised as “a masterclass in ethical legal journalism.” The Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association noted its immediate impact on statewide prosecutorial transparency initiatives.
2023 Legal Innovator Citation from the Oregon State Bar
His commercial litigation analysis earned recognition for making complex business law accessible to non-specialist readers. The Bar cited its role in improving media literacy among small business owners.
Sheriff Kent van der Kamp placed on Brady list for lying in Deschutes County Court cases
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