Judge Ronald E. Cox

DIVISION I, POSITION 1

January 9, 1995–May 31, 2018

Elected; Retired

Judge Cox took his oath of office as a judge on the Washington State Court of Appeals in January 1995, following his election to an open position on that court. He served a term as the presiding chief judge of the entire court. He also served a term as Chief Judge of Division One of the court.

He is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law and the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Judge Cox was raised in Honolulu, Hawai'i, where he graduated from Punahou School.

Before becoming a judge, he was a partner in the law firm now known as K&L Gates LLP. During that time, he served on committees and task forces that focused on improving the judicial system. One task force developed ways to improve information provided to voters who select judges. Another worked on reducing delay in disposition of cases in the trial courts. He also helped in the process of rating and selecting judges during his service on bar association judicial screening and evaluation committees. His community service included volunteering with various organizations concerned with the education and welfare of children.

He served as President of the King County Bar Foundation, which raises funds for free legal services to the poor and scholarships for minority law students. He was also actively involved in the educational work of the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission of the state supreme court. He also served for a number of years as a part-time lecturer at the University of Washington School of Law, teaching an appellate advocacy course.

Following successful completion of ranger and airborne training after graduation from West Point, he served in a succession of command, staff, and instructor assignments in Germany, Vietnam, and the United States. He holds various awards and decorations for this military service.

The University of Washington School of Law awarded Judge Cox its Henry M. Jackson Distinguished Alumnus Award. King County Washington Women Lawyers awarded him its Judge of the Year Award. The King County Bar Association awarded him its Outstanding Judge of the Year Award.

Judge Cox retired from the court in 2018. He is now engaged in arbitration, mediation, and appellate analysis work at JAMS, a private firm offering alternative dispute resolution services.