Openings for Appointment or Election
The following are all current openings known to KCBA for judicial positions subject to election by King County voters or appointment in our region. Most will be subject first to appointment by the Governor, County Council, or local city council. The bar recommends that attorneys interested in a judicial career obtain evaluation ratings from KCBA well in advance of the appearance of a vacancy on this page. Generally speaking, appointing authorities publish notice of a vacancy to solicit interest from attorneys with existing ratings. The bar's process, which relies on the availability of volunteer attorneys to conduct evaluations, can take up to 3 months from the date an applicant submits an application for rating. It is very unlikely that a rating can be issued on short notice.
To learn more about our process, select the "Judicial Candidate Evaluation Rating Process" link from the menu bar on the right side of this page.
Current & Upcoming Openings as of 6/24/19:
- U.S. District Court for Western District of Washington
Two nominations were reportedly being made in the summer of 2018 by President Trump to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington for attorneys Kathleen O'Sullivan and Tessa Gorman, but neither was officially submitted by the White House for Senate consideration. The White House is reportedly vetting candidates for a third U.S. District Court opening but has not yet announced a nomination.
- Washington Court of Appeals Division I
No openings anticipated.
- King County Superior Court
Judge Timothy Bradshaw announced his retirement effective September 1. Judge Laura Inveen has announced her retirement effective 8/31/19. Governor Inslee will appoint successors.
- Seattle Municipal Court
No openings anticipated.
- King County District Court
The King County Council will appoint individuals to fill the terms of District Court Judges David Steiner and Ketu Shah, both of whom have been appointed by Governor Inslee to the Superior Court bench. More details available online.
The Rumor Mill
In addition to Judges Inveen & Bradshaw at Superior Court, another judge on that bench may soon announce a retirement as well; no confirmation available as of 6/24/19.