Judge Cecily Hazelrigg-Hernandez

DIVISION I, POSITION 5

January 14, 2019–Present

Elected

Judge Cecily Hazelrigg Hernandez joined the Court of Appeals in 2019 after prevailing in a contested election across Skagit, Island, Whatcom and San Juan Counties. She came to the court with over 10 years of legal experience as a deputy public defender in Skagit County and private practice immigration work in Whatcom County. As a bilingual attorney with close ties to immigration, Judge Hazelrigg Hernandez’s professional focus has been centered on historically underserved communities within the legal system, and working on access to justice issues. She currently serves on the Public Trust and Confidence Committee, and the Court System Education Task Force through the Board for Judicial Administration.

Judge Hazelrigg Hernandez was born and raised in Northwest Washington, where her father served as a test pilot in the United States Navy. She received her ATA from Skagit Valley College in Paralegal Studies, BA from Western Washington University in American Cultural Studies, and obtained her JD from Gonzaga University School of Law. Studying also at the Universidad de Guanajuato Facultad de Derecho during law school. Judge Hazelrigg Hernandez was the recipient of the Western Washington University Women of Color Empowerment Award in 2008, the Whatcom Family and Community Network Ken Gass Community Building Award in 2008, and the National Association for Ethnic Studies Charles C. Irby Distinguished Service Award in 2009.

Prior to joining Division I, Judge Hazelrigg Hernandez was an adjunct instructor at Western Washington University for many years, and taught as visiting faculty at the Universidad Latina de American in Michoacán, Mexico. She served as a volunteer in a number of free legal clinics in Skagit County, and represented the Skagit County Public Defender on Skagit-Island Community Partnership for Transition Solutions. Judge Hazelrigg Hernandez also served on the Bellingham YWCA Board of Directors; worked as a parent volunteer in both the Bellingham and Mount Vernon School Districts; and served two years as team treasurer for her daughter’s NW United soccer team.

She currently lives in Skagit County with her children and grandchild.