Judge Teresa C. Kulick

DIVISION III, POSITION 5

February 15, 2006–January 31, 2014

Appointed by Governor Gregoire; Retired

I was born in Yakima, Washington in 1952. It was a different world then, growing up at a time when girls and women were not encouraged or expected to seek a career. Fortunately, my upbringing allowed me to move in a direction which ultimately led me to become the first woman judge on Division III of the Court of Appeals, 40 years after the Court was established. Now, on our 50th anniversary of the Court I am pleased that women judges are frequently appointed and elected.

I graduated from the University of Washington and Gonzaga Law School. During law school I worked at Spokane Legal Services and later, as an attorney, at Evergreen Legal Services. I returned to Yakima in 1981 to open an office for the state Attorney General. In 1988, I became the division chief for seven regional offices. For 27 years I provided counsel to and litigated cases on behalf of various state agencies including the Department of Social and Health Services, the Department of Labor and Industries, and the Department of Corrections. I served as general counsel for Yakima Valley College for five years and for Central Washington University over 21 years.

In 1991, the Board of Governors of the Washington State Bar appointed me to its Long Range Planning Task Force and as chair of the Bar and the Public subcommittee. I submitted a proposal to the Governors to establish an Access to Justice Board. The Governors approved it and the Washington State Supreme Court became the first in the nation to establish an Access to Justice Board.

In 1994, I was elected President of the Yakima County Bar Association, the first woman in its 73 year history. I also served on the Columbia Legal Services Board of Directors for 18 years. In 2006, I was appointed and then twice elected to the Court of Appeals. I retired in 2008.

I mention two of my firsts as a woman bar president and an appellate judge to underscore that our legal and justice systems are demonstrating their commitment to equal opportunity and inclusion. I am grateful I was able to help pave the way for other women in law and on the court.

I am thankful to Peggy Blize, Judicial Assistant, Barbara Hoffman, Senior Law Clerk, and Renee Townsley, Clerk/Administrator for their unparalled dedication and commitment to serve the court and the public.

I congratulate the staff and judges of the Court of Appeals and wish them well on this 50th anniversary.