Judge William W. Baker

DIVISION I, POSITION 9

January 1, 1990–February 29, 2008

Appointed by Governor Gardner; Retired

Judge William W. Baker was born on August 21, 1940. In the summer of 1946, he and his family moved from Nebraska to Snohomish County, Washington. They eventually settled on a small farm in Everett.

Judge Baker attended Stanford University on a merit scholarship, graduating in 1962. After receiving his law degree from the University of Washington in 1965, he clerked at the Washington Supreme Court for one year. Judge Baker practiced law at the Anderson Hunter Law Firm in Everett for the next 24 years. His practice emphasized litigation in many different areas of law. He enjoyed a reputation as a highly talented trial lawyer who displayed courtesy and professionalism to all.

In 1990, Governor Booth Gardner appointed Judge Baker to a new position at Division I of the Washington Court of Appeals. He served in this position with distinction for 18 years, retiring February 29, 2008. Twenty years ago he described this experience, "The intellectual challenges, collegiality and humbling awareness of great responsibility are how I describe my experience on the court." Judge Baker died in January 2011. Colleagues who worked with him recall him as an admirable colleague with a powerful intellect skilled at consensus building.