Judge J. Robin Hunt

DIVISION II, POSITION 3

January 13, 1997–September 30, 2014

Elected; Retired

Judge J. Robin Hunt graduated from Smith College with a major in music and minors in math and physiological psychology. During Law School at Wayne State University Law School, she clerked for the Detroit public defender, working on both trials and appeals. After graduating, she practiced in Fairbanks, Alaska and Seattle. Judge Hunt was a King County Deputy Prosecutor for seven and a half years, and as part of her training, she rode with law enforcement on weekend night patrols. She prosecuted all types of crimes in the trial courts, from DUI to capital murder. As senior deputy, she created a specialized appellate unit, arguing numerous cases in state and federal appellate courts. Thereafter, Judge Hunt served as Bainbridge Island Municipal Court Judge Pro Tem (1982-1993) and Hearing Examiner (1985-1996), adjudicating local land use issues and administrative appeals.

Judge J. Robin Hunt was elected to the Court of Appeals in November 1996. She took office in January 1997, thereby creating the first all-female panel in Division Two. She was reelected in 2002 and 2008, and was Chief Judge of Division Two from 2002–2004.

Judge Hunt was an early member of Washington Women Lawyers (WWL). Serving on the WWL’s Judicial Evaluation Committee in the 1970s, she advocated including men in the interview process. She also served on the State Bar Judicial Evaluation Committee and as Trustee/Treasurer for the Seattle-King County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. Judge Hunt also served on the Bainbridge Island school board and participated in many community activities, especially those involving school or music.

Her experience on the court was dynamic, stimulating and heartfelt.

Judge Hunt retired in September 2014. She currently lives in Bainbridge Island.