Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Washington Supreme Court names new “gatekeeper”: Steven Goff appointed as Supreme Court Commissioner

Washington Supreme Court Deputy Commissioner Steven Goff has been appointed to the position of Court Commissioner by the Washington Supreme Court’s nine justices.  Goff replaces long-time Commissioner Geoffrey Crooks, who retired early in September after 27 years in the role. 

The position of Supreme Court Commissioner was created in 1976, and serves as what can be termed as a “gatekeeper” for the Court, helping to review and analyze the hundreds of petitions and motions that come to the Supreme Court each year.  Goff will serve as only the third Supreme Court Commissioner in Washington State history.

“The Supreme Court is delighted that he has accepted this position,” said Chief Justice Gerry Alexander regarding the appointment.  “Steve has served the Court extremely well as Deputy Court Commissioner for the past 17 years, and we could not have asked for a higher-qualified candidate to fill this important role.”

The Commissioner’s Office reviews approximately 1,000 petitions and motions filed each year with the Washington Supreme Court, and has a primary role in determining which cases will be heard by the full Court.  The Commissioner issues an average of 700 rulings a year, ranging in scope from deciding whether to dismiss original actions against state officers, whether to grant review of personal restraint petitions filed by prisoners, and advising Supreme Court justices on petitions for review.  The Commissioner also heads central staff.

“I am deeply honored to have been selected to serve as the Supreme Court Commissioner, and look forward to serving the Court and the people of the State of Washington,” said Goff of the appointment.  

Goff was appointed as the Court’s first Deputy Commissioner in 1989, and has also worked as staff attorney, senior staff attorney and chief staff attorney in the Commissioner’s office, beginning in 1979. He is a graduate of Western Washington College and the Puget Sound School of Law.

For further information on the operations of Washington’s Supreme Court, please visit www.courts.wa.gov. 

Wendy K. Ferrell Judicial Communications Manager 360.705.5331 e-mail Wendy.Ferrell@courts.wa.gov

Lorrie Thompson Communications Officer 360.705.5347 Lorrie.Thompson@courts.wa.gov