Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Washington Supreme Court Hires State’s First Supreme Court Administrator

The Washington Supreme Court announced it has chosen its first administrator, filling a new position created with funding approved this year by state lawmakers. Ashley Lipford, who has worked the past four years as judicial administrative assistant to Chief Justice Steven González, was named to the position and will begin her new role Monday, July 31.

Lipford was chosen after a careful selection process. In her time with the Court, “Ashley has been instrumental in developing court-wide policies and procedures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and has demonstrated a commitment to the Supreme Court’s call to eradicate racism by working on court-wide race and equity efforts,” said Chief Justice González. “Ashley has also done substantive legal work on cases before the Court. We are very happy she has accepted this new role in planning and coordinating the operations of the Court, something that has been needed for some time.”

The new administrator will focus on coordination, support and long-term planning in key areas of court operations such as personnel, technology, training, facilities, and security. Lipford will also serve as a liaison between committees, work groups and task forces working under the direction of the Court, will develop cohesive processes for onboarding new Supreme Court justices and judicial administrative assistants, and will lead efforts to advance racial equity at the Court, including developing policies and training efforts.

Administrative activities had previously been divided up among different Court offices and committees, but with no dedicated administrative staff to plan for or implement decisions. Many administrative needs have been left unmet, creating gaps in efficient operations.

Lipford is a graduate of the University of Washington. Before joining the Supreme Court, she served as judicial assistant to Pierce County Superior Court Judge Frank E. Cuthbertson (now retired) and worked in Pierce County’s Commissioner Services Department.

Learn more about the Washington Supreme Court — the justices of the Court, its offices, cases, calendar, operations and more — on our website.