Supreme Court Code of Judicial Conduct Task Force

The ABA approved a new model Code of Judicial Conduct in 2007. Many states have begun the process of looking at that new model code and making decisions about whether it should be adopted and in what form. Other states are modifying the version of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which is presently in effect in those states.  The Washington Supreme Court recently voted to establish a task force to look at the 2007 ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct and consider whether to recommend that the model code, or any parts thereof, should be adopted in this state.

The Code of Judicial Conduct Task Force will function as an independent task force and use its own judgment as to the amount of professional and public input it needs to come up with its informed recommendations and how it wishes to function.

It is the belief of the Supreme Court that this endeavor cannot be accomplished in the normal rulemaking process. The court hopes that the task force will take a thorough look and determine what course it thinks should be followed and why. In other words, the task force should forge its own course while bearing in mind the impact its recommendations have on the present and future members of the judiciary in our state.

Judge Alan R. Hancock, Co-Chair
Island County Superior Court

Judge Joel M. Penoyar, Co-Chair
Court of Appeals Division II

Mr. C. Matthew Andersen
Washington State Bar Association

Ms. Marcine Anderson
Washington State Bar Association

Judge Mary Kay Becker
Court of Appeals Div. I

Ms. Elizabeth Fraser 
Washington State Bar Association

Ms. Margery L. Dickinson
League of Women Voters of Washington

Justice Charles W. Johnson
Washington State Supreme Court

Judge John A. McCarthy
Superior Court Judges’ Association

Judge Robert B. McSeveney
District and Municipal Court Judges’ Association

Justice Richard B. Sanders
Washington State Supreme Court

Ms. Ruth Schroeder
League of Women Voters of Washington

Judge John A. Schultheis
Court of Appeals Div. III

Mr. John W. Sleeter
Commission on Judicial Conduct

Ms. Nan Sullins
Administrative Office of the Courts

Ms. Caroline W. Tawes
Administrative Office of the Courts

Judge Susan J. Woodard
District and Municipal Court Judges' Association

 Judge Kenneth D. Williams
Superior Court Judges' Association