U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall said “The legal system can force open doors and sometimes even knock down walls. But it cannot build bridges. That job belongs to you and me.” Judge Judith Ramseyer took on that job and took it seriously. During more than a decade on the bench, Judge Ramseyer did it all by opening doors to ensure access to justice, knocking down walls to reframe the judicial system’s approach to therapeutic courts, and most importantly, building bridges across groups. Judge Ramseyer is now the well-deserved recipient of KCBA’s Outstanding Judge of the Year award.
Judge Ramseyer’s successful service as a judge was built on a strong foundation. She was first elected to the King County Superior Court in 2012. Judge Ramseyer joined the bench after more than 20 years in private practice and as a law clerk for Hon. William L. Dwyer at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. Before she was a lawyer and judge, Judge Ramseyer was an adolescent and family mental health counselor. Through all of these roles, Judge Ramseyer has been a lifelong advocate for those disenfranchised by the justice system.
As a King County Superior Court judge, Judge Ramseyer not only presided over a full range of cases, but she also served as a leader at both the local and state levels to find innovative solutions to systemic problems. Judge Ramseyer was Chief of the Clark Children & Family Justice Center during a pivotal time as the Center moved into a new courthouse and detention center and became a model for behavior health therapeutic courts for young people. As president of the Superior Court Judges’ Association from 2020–21, Judge Ramseyer led through action. She helped coordinate measures to ensure safe courts amidst the pandemic. She questioned the role of judges in addressing race equity and helped create a new statewide Racial Justice Consortium. And in light of a pending end to eviction moratoria, she promoted the development of an unlawful detainer work group.
Judge Ramseyer also served as Chief of the Fire Brigade, an educational and problem-solving arm of the Bench Bar Press Committee. In that role, she helped promote training of judicial officers and media representatives to resolve disputes related to open courts and public access to court proceedings.
Over more than a decade on the bench, Judge Ramseyer epitomized the hard-working jurist. She tackled head on the hard problems of administering justice and helped find workable solutions. We are all better for it. Congratulations, Judge Ramseyer!
