Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Court of Appeals in Spokane gains new Commissioner and Clerk

A new Commissioner and Clerk of Court have been appointed to the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division III, located in Spokane.

Jay Bromme has been appointed by the five judges of the Court to the position of Court Commissioner. The Commissioner is a judicial officer who decides a large number of motions and cases on their substantive issues and merits. The Commissioner also makes recommendations on procedures and effective use of resources, assists in the training of new law clerks, and other duties. Bromme is a graduate of the Gonzaga University School of Law, and served as a law clerk at the Court of Appeals Div. III from 1987 to 1990 and then from 1991 to 2000. Since 2000, he has served as staff attorney for the court.

Renee Townsley is the new Clerk of the Court, also appointed by the Court. The Clerk is the chief administrative officer, responsible for court calendars, filings, court facilities, plans and supervision of the administration. Townsley served for 14 years as court administrator of the Okanogan County District Court. She is a graduate of Eastern Washington University, the Washington Court Professional Development Program and the Court Executive Development Program.

The Washington State Court of Appeals is a non-discretionary appellate court, meaning it must accept all appeals filed with it. Most appeals from superior courts go to the Court of Appeals, which has three divisions — Division I is based in Seattle; Division II is based in Tacoma; Division III is based in Spokane. Division III hears appeals from courts in the following counties: Spokane, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Okanogan, Lincoln, Ferry, Adams, Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Walla Walla, Whitman, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat and Yakima counties.

CONTACT: Court of Appeals Division III Commissioner Jay Bromme, (509) 456-3095; Court of Appeals Division III Clerk Renee Townsley, (509) 456-3082.

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