Judge Herbert A. Swanson

DIVISION I, POSITION 3

August 18, 1969–September 17, 1990

Appointed by Governor Evans; Retired

Judge Swanson graduated from the University of Washington Law School in 1949. He was admitted to the bar that same year and began the practice of law soon thereafter. For the next 16 years, he was actively engaged in a general law practice in Everett. In 1965, Governor Evans made his first judicial appointment by naming Judge Swanson to the Snohomish County Superior Court.

When the Court of Appeals was created in 1969, Judge Swanson was among the original 12 judges statewide named to form the new court.

After taking the oath of office on August 18, 1969, the 12 new judges faced the daunting task of organizing the three divisions of the court by the second Monday in September, the beginning of the fall term. By herculean effort, when September arrived, the court was ready to hear oral arguments. The inaugural ceremony held in Division One is reported in the prefatory pages of 1 Wn. App.

During Judge Swanson’s tenure in Division One, which spanned over 21 years, he sat with 34 judges statewide, 20 in Division One alone. Judge Swanson’s experience on the court was thought-provoking, demanding, but richly rewarding.

Judge Swanson currently resides in Olympia.