Ken Helm grew up in Oregon with a deep appreciation for diverse and beautiful natural spaces. After graduating from high school in Bend, he attended Willamette University and earned a BA in History and Political Science. After working as a baker for a couple of years, he returned to Willamette University College of Law to earn his JD. During law school, he started his land use career by clerking for the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals. In 1997, he took a position with the land use staff at Metro, where he was responsible for defending Metro's first urban reserve decision and shepherded a landmark regional riparian protection ordinance. Prior to joining the Oregon Legislature, he established and ran his own solo law practice, serving as a land use and code enforcement hearings officer for cities and counties around the state.
