Washington State Courts - Members of the Court of Appeals - Div II Bio

Judge Rich Melnick

Rich Melnick has served the public for over 30 years as a judge and a prosecutor. Before serving as a Judge of the Washington State Court of Appeals Judge Melnick served as a trial judge in the Superior Court, the District Court, and the Municipal Court. He is past Dean of Washington's Judicial College. Judge Melnick is a frequent presenter at statewide conferences on ethics, search and seizure, trial advocacy, evidence, constitutional law, and domestic violence. He taught at Clark College and has presided over therapeutic courts. Judge Melnick is a Commissioner on the Washington State Supreme Court's Gender and Justice Commission and is its Education Chair.

Judge Melnick did his undergraduate work at Northwestern University and received his B.A. with a double major in history and political science. He received his law degree from the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College where he was selected as a member of the Cornelius Honor Society.

Judge Melnick remains active in community activities and serves as a Director of T.O.D.A.Y. Foundation. For thirty years he has prepared and served holiday meals for the elderly and needy. Rich coached youth soccer and basketball. The Washington State Bar Association recognized Judge Melnick with its Local Hero Award and the Clark County Bar Association recognized him for community service by awarding him the Ken Weber Award. Judge Melnick received the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorney's President's Award and the National Football Foundation's Distinguished American Award (Clark County Chapter).

Judge Melnick is honored to have spent his entire career serving the public. He believes a judge should decisively resolve cases using common sense, precedent, and knowledge of the law. He promises to always remember that a judge’s decision has real impact on people’s lives.

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