Aloha from King County Superior Court.
July 24th marked the end of an era, and the passing of the torch in the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA).
On that day, DJA (commonly known as the Clerk’s Office) Director Barb Miner officially retired. Ms. Miner — Barb, as she is known to so many of us — completed 37 years of service with King County, 35 of those years with DJA, including the last 23 years as DJA Director/County Clerk. Barb led the effort to move court records to an electronic format. This work positioned DJA to be a national leader, and DJA was awarded an Innovations in American Government Award from the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard’s Kennedy School. She has served on numerous tasks forces and boards and was named Court Manager of the Year in 2005.
A significant accomplishment that is close to Barb’s heart is King County Drug Diversion Court. For her entire tenure as DJA Director, Barb advocated with county partners for program recognition and support, promoted technological innovations, defended against funding cuts and ideological attacks, and provided resources, data, encouragement, and strategic guidance to help make Drug Court the success it is today.
Barb is widely respected by County Clerks statewide for her insight, expertise, and strategic approach on all things related to the Clerk’s Office. She has been recognized as Clerk of the Year multiple times. Barb has vigorously led with a commitment to excellence, public service, and access to justice. Good luck with all your future endeavors and travels Barb!
The DJA Director torch has been passed to Catherine Cornwall. Ms. Cornwall previously served, alongside Barb Miner, as the DJA Deputy Director. She has held many high-level positions in King County and City of Seattle government. Ms. Cornwall is a strong leader, strategic planner, and possesses terrific administrative and budgetary expertise. DJA is a national leader of Clerk’s Offices, and Ms. Cornwall, the DJA leadership team, and all DJA staff will continue DJA excellence.
On July 21st Superior Court conducted a dedication ceremony and formally named our judicial conference in the King County Courthouse as the Hon. Charles V. Johnson Judicial Conference Room. During the dedication ceremony, United States District Court Judge Richard Jones, an outstanding alumnus of the King County Superior Court, described Judge Johnson this way, “without question he was the greatest judge to ever wear a robe in the history of the King County Superior Court.”
Judge Johnson was born in 1928 and passed away in December 2020. He graduated from the University of Washington School of Law, where he was the only African American person to graduate in his class. After law school, Judge Johnson was an attorney in private practice for eleven years before ascending to the bench. He served on the Seattle Municipal Court from 1969 until 1980, and on King County Superior Court from 1981 until 1998. Judge Johnson was Presiding Judge of Superior Court and served in that role from November 1989 to January 1994. During Judge Johnson’s tenure as Presiding Judge, Superior Court faced a critical and challenging period in the Court’s history. Judge Johnson was a trailblazer and iconic leader, who created many programs that to this day are foundation to the Court. He established an interpreter services office, a criminal case reduction project, new ways to handle civil cases, an orientation program for new judges, efforts to use computers, and a program to increase cultural diversity. Judge Johnson truly helped to establish King County Superior Court as a national model of excellence.
In addition to his outstanding legal and judicial career, Judge Johnson made long-lasting impacts on the greater community of Seattle. He was a civil rights icon and served in leadership roles in the NAACP’s Seattle Chapter for four decades. Judge Johnson helped to establish the Loren Miller Bar Association in 1968. He was an active member and held leadership positions at the First AME church. Finally, he helped start an annual law symposium for youth which introduced young people to professionals and careers in the law. This program is now the Judge Charles V. Johnson Youth and Law Forum.
There could not be a more iconic and deserving judge to name our conference room after. King County Superior Court is indeed honored and humbled by the legacy of the Honorable Charles V. Johnson. All our judges stand on the shoulders of Judge Charles V. Johnson!
Finally, given that we are in the middle of summer, I would be remiss not to opine about our beloved Mariners. It sure was fun to attend the Allstar Game and hear the fans chanting, “Come to Seattle” when Shohei Ohtani came up to bat. Shohei is a once in a generation player. Whether it be in a trade at the trade deadline, or signing during free agency, the Mariners and Jerry Dipoto must, must, must bring Shohei to Seattle.
When I was in college, I used to walk down to the Kingdome, sit in the outfield, and marvel at the Ken Griffey, Jr. I thought I had seen the greatest player ever, but then I had the chance to watch Ichiro during his amazing run in Seattle. Completely different players, but both magical! Shohei is better than both. Dominant pitcher, feared power hitter, amazing athlete who runs like the wind, and the most humble, professional player in major league baseball . . . a true unicorn. Shohei if you are reading this article, and why wouldn’t you be, “COME TO SEATTLE”!!!
