Washington Courts: News and Information

Washington Supreme Court Elects Chief Justice

November 07, 2008

 

Members of the Washington Supreme Court unanimously elected Gerry L. Alexander to a third term as the state’s top judge, continuing Alexander’s tenure as the longest-serving Chief Justice in Washington State history.
 
Following an internal election, Alexander thanked his colleagues and outlined his priorities for the judiciary. “I am honored by the unanimous show of support by my colleagues,” said Alexander. 
 
“The judiciary is in the midst of an important effort to improve the structure of our state’s trial courts, public defense and civil indigent defense systems. I look forward to continuing our work with the executive and legislative branches of government to improve our vital branch of government, and ensure the public’s trust and confidence in our court system.”
 
As Chief Justice, Alexander will continue to be the court’s chief spokesman, preside over the court’s public hearings and serve as the administrative head of the state’s trial and appellate court system. He also chairs the Board for Judicial Administration (BJA), the policy-setting group of the state judiciary. 
 
Alexander is the court’s 54th Chief Justice, succeeding retired Justice Richard P. Guy in 2000 for the position. He will be officially sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court during ceremonies in Olympia on Monday, January 12th at 9:30 a.m.   While the Chief Justice’s term is a four-year position, Alexander will reach mandatory retirement age in 2011.
 
Elected to an open seat on the Supreme Court 1994, Alexander joined the Court with more than two decades of trial and appellate court experience. He served as a superior court judge for Thurston and Mason Counties from 1973 to 1984, and as a judge for Division Two of the Court of Appeals from 1985 to 1994.   
 
A full biography is available online at www.courts.wa.gov

 

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