Judge Kevin M. Korsmo

DIVISION III, POSITION 4

February 13, 2008–Present

Appointed by Governor Gregoire

I was sworn in as a judge of the Court of Appeals, Division Three, on February 13, 2008, following an appointment by Governor Christine Gregoire, survived an election challenge that year, and have been here ever since.

My parents were North Dakota natives who married in Spokane – dad followed my mom’s family out here and eventually convinced her to marry him – before returning to the Peace Garden State to raise their family. I started college at Gonzaga, but returned home to Fargo and received a Bachelor of Science degree from North Dakota State University in 1979. I graduated from the University of Washington School of Law in 1982, along with future COA judges Mary Kay Becker, Steve Dwyer, George Fearing, Lisa Worswick, and Marywave Van Deren.

After working in private practice for one year, I joined the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office, serving as a trial attorney for four years before becoming an appellate attorney. In 1990, I moved to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office to create an appeals division. Over the next 17+ years, I personally handled or supervised over 2000 criminal appeals in Division Three. In that time I grew to appreciate the court as an institution and the staff of Division Three in particular..

Now as the senior judge (where did the time fly?), and having survived all administrative positions imposed upon COA judges and chairing the COA Rules Committee 2010-2019, I am happily serving without administrative obligations and working on developing my eccentricities. The judges serving when I arrived in 2008 – Steve Brown, Teresa Kulik, John Schultheis, and Dennis Sweeney – and their replacements – George Fearing, Rob Lawrence-Berrey, Rebecca Pennell, and Laurel Siddoway – have all been wonderful colleagues. Working with all of the young lawyers (of every age) who have served as my clerks in chambers 4 has been an even greater experience. The enthusiasm of youth is a great tonic for the experienced lawyer or judge.

The freshman ice cream social at Gonzaga introduced me to Barbara Sheehan. We have been married since 1980 and blessed with four daughters. Now scattered to both coasts, they continue to be the focus of our lives. Apart from family, chess has been my passion. I organize and direct tournaments, play when I can, and have continued to volunteer as high school chess coach. Four of my former law clerks have come from the ranks of young players I have met over the years!