Judge Ketu Shah,
King County Superior Court Presiding Judge
From the Desk of the Presiding Judge
As we wind down the year and folks take well-earned leave during the holidays, for the Court it is a time of transition. We will have a new presiding judge, Judge Averil Rothrock, and a new assistant presiding, Judge Tanya Thorp. Our leadership will also transition to include: Chief Civil Judge David Keenan, Chief Criminal Judge Brian McDonald, Chief Juvenile Judge Veronica Galván, MRJC Chief Judge Josephine Wiggs, and UFC Chief Judge Aimee Sutton. Judge Scott and Judge Young will be leaving their roles as chief civil and chief criminal judges. They have been tremendous leaders of our Court, given the high volume and complex nature of each department.
Judge Michael Scott was instrumental in setting up processes and procedures to stand up two new judges to handle the crushing number of unlawful detainer filings. He has also been a tireless worker in backing up our Ex Parte department for temporary civil order filings and handling the hundreds of ex parte filings we receive every day. And Judge Scott continually works with our civil judges to schedule longer civil trials so the parties can timely get their matter heard.
Judge Melinda Young served exceptionally in our criminal department. As cases are more complex with increased video and forensic evidence, an individual case’s time to trial has increased. She has been relentless in trying to keep these cases moving forward so that defendants in custody spend the least amount of time incarcerated before their matter is heard, and victims can get resolution to cases that have upended their lives. Judge Young has also worked exhaustively with the Department of Public Defense, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention to streamline motions and release conditions so that folks can get their matters heard in a timely way.
These chief judges are an example of the dedication and commitment by our Court to ensure we are efficiently processing our cases. These details do not get much fanfare, but these judges are like the holding midfielders of a soccer team. The entire team depends upon them to start the defense or the counterattack and never show up in the stat line, but without which the team could not function. Thank you, Judge Scott and Judge Young.
Our budget season has concluded and thanks to members of the bar and their advocacy, and the thoughtful considerations of County Executive Shannon Braddock and County Council members, the Court will receive additional funds for our unlawful detainer dockets (we will bring on a housing commissioner to assist in this work), probation counselors for juveniles, funding for At-Risk Youth and Becca programs, and interpreter pay increases. There are also funds budgeted for security around the courthouse in the Sheriff’s budget. The recognition of the importance of courts, and the rule of law, informed policymakers when allocating court funding. All of you played a part in that advocacy and we are appreciative.
And finally, our most tenured judicial officer, Judge LeRoy McCullough, will be retiring Dec. 31. He has been on the bench since 1989 and has been a voice of reason and perspective to many of us. He has seen many changes in our Court and always improved his different assignments. Although his work on our Court has been exemplary, from leading juvenile court to making decisions about the admissibility of AI evidence, he is most proud of the work he has done in the community. He has led the Youth and Law Forum for over 30 years; some of the participants have become successful lawyers, doctors, civil servants, law enforcement officers, and even city council members.
Recently, I presented to the City of Seattle and there was a question about increases in juvenile crime. I indicated that we as a community have a responsibility to engage with youth and to demonstrate how there are other pathways for them. I mentioned Judge McCullough and his leadership with the Youth and Law Forum, and Councilmember Rob Saka smiled and relayed how he attended the forum when he was young and how it made a difference for him.
Judge McCullough’s impact has been profound over these 36 years. His desire to help his community and set an example of what change could look like inspired his colleagues. His quick wit and intellect were understated, but he could quote you Shakespeare or Frederick Douglass off the top of his head. One of his favorites from Douglass that he would repeat to colleagues: “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”
It is this ideal and legacy he leaves with us, and we are wishing Judge McCullough much happiness and joy in his next journey.
As we conclude the year, I hope that you get to spend time with those who are important to you and find peace from all your hard work this year. Your work has meaningfully increased justice in our community and has reminded clients and the public of the importance of law in our civil society.
As we start the new year with hope and optimism, I am encouraged to tell you our Court continues to prioritize access to courts to protect everyone’s rights and orderly resolve cases. We will continue to work every day toward delivering those values to the members of the Bar and our community.
As always, we welcome feedback and conversation on how our Court can serve the King County Bar and the members of our community. Please reach out to further that conversation.
