Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Washington Supreme Court Justice G. Helen Whitener returns from medical leave for Court’s Fall Term

Washington Supreme Court Justice G. Helen Whitener announced she will return from medical leave and will participate in the Court’s Fall term cases remotely, as she continues to recover from reconstructive back surgery.

Justice Whitener took medical leave starting March 9, 2023 to have a ten-level major reconstructive back surgery to address her degenerative back condition, a condition she has suffered with since her teenage years. During her absence, eligible retired and current judges from Washington’s Court of Appeals and current judges from superior courts have been appointed to act as pro tem justices on cases. Pro tem justices are randomly selected by the Supreme Court Clerk’s office to hear cases when a justice must be absent.

“I am very grateful to my colleagues at the Supreme Court for their support. I had an excellent medical team and it appears that the surgery has restored my back to a ‘normal’ posture,” said Justice Whitener. “I look forward to returning to hear cases initially through remote means and to returning to the Court in person in the Winter term.”

The Supreme Court’s Fall term begins with oral arguments the second week of September. Oral arguments in all Supreme Court cases continue to be broadcast via TVW, Washington’s Public Affairs network. The Court currently conducts oral arguments in person at its temporary location in Tumwater while the Temple of Justice on the Capitol Campus is under renovation. Learn more about the justices, offices, operations and schedule of the Court at https://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts/.