Judge Marlin Appelwick

Judge Marlin Appelwick

Judge Marlin Appelwick joined the Court of Appeals in 1998. He came to the court from 18 years of private practice in a small Lake City law firm, where he focused on family law, business law, and mediation. He combined his years of practice with 16 years as a member of the Washington State Legislature. His service as a state representative included 12 years on the budget committee and 12 years on the Judiciary Committee, six as chair. In his final three years, he served as the House Democratic Leader. Governor Locke appointed him to the court, and he has three times been elected to the position.

Judge Appelwick believes judges must play an essential role in keeping the court and rule of law relevant in the life of the average citizen. His passion for justice led to his service for six years on the Access to Justice Board and ten years on the Supreme Court's Gender and Justice Commission. He represented the Court of Appeals on the Board for Judicial Administration for six years. Judge Appelwick co-chaired the Council on Public Legal Education from 1999 to 2019. And, he has represented the State of Washington as a commissioner at the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws since 1985 and was elected a life member in 2005.

Judge Appelwick's service and achievements have been acknowledged by awards that include: President's Award from the Washington State Bar Association (2011); Judicial Leadership Award Access to Justice Board of the Washington State Bar Association (2008); Judge William Nevin Award from the Washington Judges' Foundation (2006); Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award from Minnesota State University (2002); Honorary Order of the Coif from the University of Washington Law School (1997); Commendation Award from the National Commission Against Drunk Driving (1994); Lifetime Achievement Award from the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (1994); Professional of the Year Award from the Family Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association (1993); the President's Award from the Washington State Bar Association for his work securing funding for legal services to the poor (1992); and the President's Award of Merit from the Washington State District and Municipal Court Judges Association (1991).

Growing up in Granite Falls, Minnesota, Judge Appelwick went on to graduate from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1976 with both Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees. He majored in mathematics, with minors in business administration and political science and found time to play college baseball. He moved to the state of Washington to attend the University of Washington School of Law, earning his Juris Doctor degree in 1979.

Updated 6/7/19
 

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