Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Division Two Court of Appeals Clerk David Ponzoha Retires After 31 Years; Judges Appoint Derek M. Byrne As New Clerk

Court of Appeals judges have appointed Derek M. Byrne as the new Clerk for Division II based in Tacoma. Byrne replaces long-time Court Clerk David Ponzoha, who will retire from the position on October 31st after 31 years on the job.  

Prior to joining the Court of Appeals in Washington, Byrne served as director of finance for the Administrative Office of the Courts in Utah and served as a lead performance auditor for the Utah Office of the Legislative Auditor General.

“We are very pleased that Derek has accepted this position, since he comes to us with such a wide variety of experiences from his home state of Utah,” said Chief Judge Thomas Bjorgen. “While the Court will greatly miss David’s expertise and dedication to this job, we could not have asked for a better candidate to fill this role.”  

The position of Court Clerk was created in 1969 to maintain the court’s records, files and documents. The clerk is also responsible for many administrative tasks and for managing the court’s case flow, including the preparation of its calendars and docketing of all cases and papers filed with the court.  

The Clerk also manages the Court’s filing of supporting documents for approximately 1,300 petitions and motions considered each year by that division.

“I am honored to be selected to serve as the Division Two’s Court Clerk,” said Byrne of the appointment. “Having served with the Utah State Courts and the Legislature for 16 years, I have a passion for this work, and I look forward to the new challenge and serving the Court and the people of the State of Washington.”  

The Court of Appeals Division II hears appeals of cases from the superior courts in Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Skamania, Wahkiakum, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Thurston and Pierce counties. The Court has the authority to overrule, remand, modify, or affirm decisions of the trial court. 

For information regarding the Court of Appeals and other levels of court, visit the Washington Courts website at http://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts/.