Judge Rebecca L. Pennell

Judge Rebecca Pennell joined Division III of the Court of Appeals on January 19, 2016.

Judge Pennell grew up in Richland, Washington. She earned her law degree from Stanford Law School in 1996, graduating with distinction. After law school, Judge Pennell clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Robert H. Whaley in Spokane. In 1999, Judge Pennell moved to Yakima after being awarded a legal services fellowship from the Skadden Fellowship Foundation. Judge Pennell later joined the Federal Defenders, where she practiced for over 15 years as a trial lawyer and appellate counsel. In addition to her advocacy work, Judge Pennell helped establish re-entry drug court programs in Yakima and the Tri-Cities.

Judge Pennell lives in Yakima with her husband and daughter. She is committed to community service, including participation in Rotary, the Washington State Civil Legal Aid Oversight Committee, and past service on the boards of the YWCA of Yakima and the Yakima Area Arboretum.