Snohomish County District Court has a new judge.
The County Council appointed lawyer Jeffrey Goodwin of Edmonds on Monday to the bench of the court’s South Division in Lynnwood.
The Edmonds resident, 41, was one of seven candidates and three finalists for the post.
Goodwin is a partner in a law firm that specializes in providing prosecuting attorney and city attorney services for smaller cities.
The unanimous appointment came a few minutes after council members interviewed the finalists. The other two are Douglas Fair, a former deputy prosecutor, and Beth Fraser Cullen, who administers the office that decides if indigent defendants are entitled to a free attorney.
Goodwin, Fair and Cullen all rated high in a bar poll, a review by a county screening committee and an evaluation by the local chapter of Washington Women Lawyers.
Goodwin is a former public defender who has worked as a temporary judge and has handled civil litigation in court. He will have to stand for election in the fall to maintain the post.
The South District includes the cities of Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Woodway, Mill Creek and parts of unincorporated Bothell.
Goodwin replaces Stephen Dwyer, who recently was elevated to the Superior Court bench.
Goodwin said he will have to finish up his current practice and hand off his duties to associates. He expects to take up his new role in early April.
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