Judge Lisa L. Sutton

DIVISION II, POSITION 3

October 1, 2014–Present

Appointed by Governor Inslee

Judge Lisa L. Sutton is serving as a judge on the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division Two, in Tacoma. As an appellate judge, Judge Sutton strives to write clear and concise opinions. She previously served as a judge on the Thurston County Superior Court. Prior to joining the bench, Judge Sutton worked for the Attorney General's Office as a managing attorney and civil litigator.

Her favorite volunteer activity is to serve as a judge at the YMCA Mock Trial Competition held in March at the Thurston County Superior Court. She has been involved in a number of community activities in Thurston County, including as a Board Member for the YMCA, the Family Support Center, and the Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services. On the third week in May each year, she volunteers at the Capitol City Marathon held in Olympia.

Judge Sutton grew up in a military family, and as a result, moved a lot, and traveled extensively. She settled in Olympia, and married Jim Lux. Jim worked as a budget analyst for the legislature, then as the Assistant Director, Budget and Administration for the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. After retiring from state service, he continues to unretire and work part-time, and enjoys doing many home improvement projects. Judge Sutton has a stepdaughter, Amy Clark, who is a juvenile court counselor for Pierce County Juvenile Court. Lisa and Jim have two grandchildren, Ariel, age 18, who is currently attending Pacific Lutheran University, and Coltyn, age 12, who loves to play basketball and baseball. Judge Sutton enjoys boating, fishing, and crabbing in Hood Canal, clamming at Ocean Shores, cooking for family dinners, and hiking in remote British Columbia to catch Kamloops brown trout. She also enjoys Japanese flower arranging, Ikebana.

Judge Sutton’s parents instilled in her a strong desire to become a public servant. She was also inspired by her mother in law, Mary Stuart Lux, who was one the first female politicians in Olympia, and served in the House of Representatives, and then on Olympia City Council. On the wall in her chambers, Judge Sutton has a picture of the 1965 House of Representatives which includes her mother in law and the father of her first judicial assistant. Retired Judge Carol Fuller is Judge’s Sutton’s judicial mentor. Judge Fuller hired Lisa as one of the first two clerks at Thurston County Superior Court over 30 years ago.