Nine lawyers vie to fill new seat for judge
Published 10:57 pm Monday, September 17, 2007
EVERETT — There’s no shortage of lawyers who want to be the next Snohomish County Superior Court judge.
Nine of them have filed an application to the governor’s office for a position that will be filled by appointment later this year.
The Snohomish County Bar Association this week is expected to mail out ballots for a poll of county lawyers to rate the candidates. The Snohomish County chapter of the Washington Women Lawyers also are expected to rate the candidates.
Gov. Chris Gregoire likely will rely on recommendations of the lawyer groups in making her selection, bar association executive director Joyce Wood said.
The nine are vying for a new position, the 15th spot on the Superior Court bench. The new judge will have to be elected in 2008 in order to keep the job, which pays nearly $141,000 a year.
Candidates include men and women with a variety of experiences in public and private law practice.
The candidates include:
George Appel, a deputy prosecuting attorney with 15 years of experience trying and supervising others who try criminal cases.
Peter Camp, a top adviser to County Executive Aaron Reardon who worked 18 years in private practice focusing on commercial litigation, land use and environmental regulation.
Susan Gaer, a top lawyer for the Snohomish County Public Defender’s Association who has defended indigent clients since 1992.
Kelly Harris, an executive assistant in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle, and a former senior deputy in the King County prosecutor’s office.
Mickey Krom, a veteran criminal defense attorney in private practice, and a former Snohomish County deputy prosecutor.
Karen Moore, a former deputy prosecutor now in private practice. She has experience in both criminal and civil trials, and has handled child-custody and family support cases.
Elizabeth Turner, has a private civil practice and has worked as a temporary judge filling in for judges and court commissioners.
Bruce Weiss, now a Superior Court commissioner who handles many family law, juvenile and civil matters.
Joseph Wilson, who is in private practice and handles both criminal and civil cases. He sits as a temporary judge in Snohomish County District Court, Cascade Division.
The 15th judge spot has been authorized by the Legislature for a decade, but the Snohomish County Council didn’t fund the position until early August. Half of a Superior Court judge salary is paid by the state and the other half by the county.
Judges believe the addition of a judicial position will help speed hearing civil and criminal cases, and will free up judicial time to possibly start a new “therapeutic” family court modeled partly after the successful drug courts in Juvenile and Superior Court.
Bar poll ballots must be returned by Oct. 10.
Both the bar association and Washington Women Lawyers will host a judicial forum featuring the candidates at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Everett Station, 3201 Smith Ave., Everett.
Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or jhaley@heraldnet.com.
