When a vacancy arises on a state superior court, the Court of Appeals, or the Washington Supreme Court, the Governor appoints a judge or justice to serve in that position until the next general election.
Governor Ferguson takes the honor of making judicial appointments very seriously. He strives to strengthen the quality and effectiveness of our judiciary through his appointments. Judicial appointments have a significant effect on the people of Washington and those who do business in this state, and are a high priority for the Governor. Governor Ferguson believes that the selection of experienced, independent, and well-qualified lawyers to join the bench is vital to maintaining the rule of law, a healthy democracy, and a vital economy.
The Governor’s Office is now using a new Uniform Judicial Evaluation Questionnaire, last updated on January 30, 2026. Please see the “Seeking appointment to a judicial vacancy” section below for a link to the updated Questionnaire.
Appointments to date
Current judicial vacancy notice(s)
- Pierce County Superior Court
- Benton and Franklin Counties Superior Court
- Washington State Supreme Court
- King County Superior Court
- Kitsap County Superior Court
Sign up here to be notified of judicial vacancies via email
Expressing interest in a future judicial appointment
If you are considering applying for a future judicial appointment, you may complete and submit an Initial Statement of Interest and Qualifications to the Governor’s Chief Legal Counsel at Judicial@gov.wa.gov. You may also request an informational interview with the Chief Legal Counsel to explore whether you may be a good fit for a future judicial appointment.
The Initial Statement is not a substitute for the Uniform Judicial Evaluation Questionnaire, which must be completed and submitted as described below in order to be considered for appointment to a judicial vacancy.
Seeking appointment to a judicial vacancy
To apply for a judicial appointment, please submit the following:
- A completed Uniform Judicial Evaluation Questionnaire
- A information waiver
- A recent writing sample (5-10 pages)
- A brief resume (no more than three pages)
- Letters of recommendation (at least two letters for superior court applications, and at least five letters for appellate court applications)
- Any judicial evaluation ratings you have received
Applications, ratings, and letters of recommendation should be submitted via email to the Governor’s Chief Legal Counsel, who is in charge of the Governor’s judicial evaluation and selection process, at Judicial@gov.wa.gov.
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Public Records Act (PRA): Information submitted to the Governor’s Office is subject to the provisions of the PRA, ch. 42.56 RCW.
Code of Judicial Conduct (CJC): Please be advised that Canon 4 of the CJC applies to both judicial officers and candidates for judicial office. Among other things, Canon 4 generally prohibits judicial officers and candidates for judicial office from engaging in most political activities, including publicly endorsing or opposing a nonjudicial candidate for any public office.
Evaluations from the state, county, and affinity bar associations help the Governor identify and evaluate the widest spectrum of candidates. All applicants are strongly encouraged to utilize these evaluation programs and to contact county and affinity bar associations as soon as possible in the application process. If you are applying for an appellate position, please also contact the Washington State Bar Association to obtain its evaluation. A directory of the affinity bar associations and their respective Judicial Evaluation Committee Chairpersons can be found here.
Evaluation and selection process
A central goal in the Governor's judicial evaluation and selection process is to gather as much information about each candidate from as many sources as possible to ensure a robust vetting process. Before filling a vacancy, the Governor considers the input of the judges on the bench where the vacancy exists, together with input from bar and community leaders and every available bar association evaluation or rating.
The Governor’s Chief Legal Counsel will review every submitted application and interview the best qualified candidates. The finalists may be interviewed by the Governor personally. The Governor’s process for evaluating and selecting candidates can be lengthy, and every effort is made to fill vacancies in a timely manner. However, quality is never compromised for speed. The Governor’s Office requires a minimum of six weeks to evaluate candidates for judicial appointments before an anticipated or existing vacancy can be filled. Qualified lawyers who are interested in a future judicial appointment are encouraged to submit an application at any time, even when there is not a current vacancy.
Strong candidates for judicial appointments will demonstrate the following characteristics and qualifications:
- Service mindset
- Respectful and welcoming to all
- Understanding of disparities in access to justice
- Highly ethical
- Integrity and independence
- Ability to work efficiently at the highest standards
- Excellent legal reasoning
- Strong writer and clear communicator
- Compassion
- Dedication
- Humility
Gubernatorial appointees hold office until the next general election, at which time the people of the area they serve may vote to retain the appointed judge or elect another candidate. Any appointee must be well prepared to launch a vigorous campaign to retain the seat in the next election.
Chief Legal Counsel
Kristin Beneski
kristin.beneski@gov.wa.gov
Biography
As Governor Ferguson’s Chief Legal Counsel, Kristin is responsible for managing the Governor’s judicial evaluation and selection process. Previously, Kristin served as Attorney General Ferguson’s First Assistant AG, providing legal advice to the Attorney General and his Core Leadership Team and handling significant litigation matters for the Attorney General’s Office. Kristin also served as a section chief and a line attorney in the office’s Complex Litigation Division. Prior to that, Kristin was in private practice at Lane Powell PC, where she worked on a variety of complex litigation matters and provided pro bono representation in habeas corpus proceedings to individuals on death row.
Kristin is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and Amherst College.