Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Supreme Court Chief Justice, New Court Members to be Sworn into Office on January 8

Newly-elected Chief Justice Gerry Alexander, Justice Bobbe J. Bridge and two new justices of the state Supreme Court will be sworn into office on Monday, January 8. The inaugural ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Temple of Justice in Olympia.

Justice Alexander will be sworn into his first term as chief justice, a post he was elected to in November. Monday's ceremony will mark only the third time a chief justice was selected by popular vote of members of the court. He will also deliver his first state-of-the-judiciary address to a joint session of the Legislature in mid January.

The inauguration ceremony also inducts newly-elected Justices Susan J. Owens and Tom Chambers to six-year terms on the Supreme Court.

Along with Chambers and Owens, Justice Bobbe J. Bridge will take an oath of office for two years, to serve out the remainder of a term vacated by former Justice Barbara Durham. Bridge was reelected in a contested primary election, and Chambers and Owens in contested November general elections.

Biography information on each justice can be obtained on the Washington Court Homepage at www.wa.gov/courts, or by contacting the number listed above. Media interviews with the justices may also be scheduled by request.