Heraldnet.com
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 11:01 pm
LocalNorthwestNation & WorldPoliticsSpecial ReportsPhotosColumnistsMultimedia 
Blog
Jerry Cornfield
A new state ferry is born
Your town news
Julie Muhlstein
Columnist Julie Muhlstein's take on life in Snohomish County.
•Latest: 1949 travel aid shows how few places blacks were welcome in Washington
Kristi O'Harran
Columnist Kristi O'Harran writes about people in Snohomish County.
•Latest: PAWS calls out for critter care-givers
 
WEEK IN REVIEW
Monday


Lynnwood woman knew area's stories long before ...
Everett rethinks boutique wineries
A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
Sunday


Marysville family comes together amid devastati...
Monroe Correctional Complex to lessen security ...
Extra patrols will be watching for drunken driv...
Saturday


Olympics are in the air
Everett police officers cleared in 2008 shootin...
Edmonds woman leaves gift of millions
Friday


Budget squeeze may close beloved Trafton school
Endgame near on airport flight debate?
Aaron Reardon laments political sparring with c...
Thursday


4-car police pileup in Everett under investigation
Edmonds educator, famous announcer dies
Bill would suspend limits on tax hikes
Wednesday


Citizenship classes: All for a better life
Many Snohomish County kids haven't had second d...
Snohomish County jail thrives under sheriff's m...
Tuesday


Mukilteo kids’ cards help Haitians
County Council increases scrutiny on Reardon
Pentagon report a good sign for Everett's Navy ...
 

ADVERTISEMENT

Northwest   Print This Article  Email This Page  Subscribe Now! facebook digg reddit del.icio.us fark stumble

(click to enlarge)
This undated picture provided by the State of Washington shows Justice Barbara Madsen. Madsen was elected Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009 by members of the state Supreme Court to be its new chief justice. Madsen, 57, replaces Gerry Alexander in the top administrative role on the high court. Madsen was first elected in 1992, and was re-elected for a third term in 2004. (AP Photo/State of Washington)
 
ADVERTISEMENT

 
CONTACT THE HERALD
Do you have a news tip?
newstips@heraldnet.com | 425.339.3400
 
Published: Friday, November 6, 2009

Madsen chosen chief justice of state supreme court

OLYMPIA — Justice Barbara Madsen was elected Thursday by members of the state Supreme Court to be its new chief justice.

Madsen, 57, replaces Gerry Alexander in the top administrative role on the high court. Madsen was first elected in 1992, and was re-elected for a third term in 2004.

Alexander, who has served as chief justice since 2001, is stepping down from that role in January and will serve out the remainder of his term as an associate justice. Alexander is set to retire at the end of 2011, the year in which he will reach the mandatory retirement age of 75 for judges in Washington. He was first elected to the court in 1994.

“To have this two-year period to draw from his institutional memory will make the job a lot easier,” said Madsen, who admitted she's a little nervous to follow Alexander, the state's longest-serving chief justice.

“I'm going to quell the butterflies and do the best job I can,” she said.

Madsen started her career as a public defender in King and Snohomish counties, before joining the Seattle City Attorney's Office as a staff attorney. She was appointed special prosecutor in 1984 and then appointed to the Seattle Municipal Court in 1988.

Madsen will be sworn in as the new chief justice in January and keep the job for the remainder of Alexander's current term.

Alexander said he looked forward to swearing Madsen in to the new job. “She's very smart, hardworking and has good leadership skills,” he said. “I think she's going to be an excellent chief justice.”

The chief justice presides over the court's public hearings, serves as the administrative head of the state's judicial branch, and is the court's main spokesperson.

The other members of the court are: justices Charles Johnson, Richard Sanders, Tom Chambers, Susan Owens, Mary Fairhurst, James Johnson, and Debra Stephens.

COMMENTS | Be the first to comment

Log in or register to post a new comment.


To read other terms and conditions, click here

Other Advertisers
TODAY'S TOP JOBS
 View All Top Jobs 
Top Cars
Top Homes

ADVERTISEMENT