Santos is Ferguson’s first judicial appointment
OLYMPIA – Today Governor Bob Ferguson announced the appointment of Benjamin Santos to the King County Superior Court, his first judicial appointment since taking office in January. Santos’ appointment, effective April 1, fills the position being vacated by Judge Annette Messitt, who resigns from the bench March 31.
Santos has more than two decades of experience as a senior deputy prosecutor in King County. At the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Santos has led the Misdemeanor and Special Assault units and currently serves as Assistant Chief Deputy in the Juvenile Division.
“Ben Santos will be an exceptional addition to the King County Superior Court bench,” Ferguson said. “He has worked to protect the rights of both victims and the accused, inside and outside the courtroom. This lifelong commitment to our justice system combined with his broad legal experience will serve Washingtonians well.”
“Today, I stand on the shoulders of many who paved the way,” Santos said. “I’m deeply honored to be appointed by the Governor and to serve the people of King County and the State of Washington in this new chapter of public service.”
Santos is a first-generation American. His parents fought for Filipino cannery workers and against the Philippine dictatorship in the 1970s, shaping his sense of justice and commitment to public service. Prior to earning his law degree, Santos advocated for marginalized residents in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District, where he helped mitigate the impacts of development projects.
Santos has prosecuted a broad range of cases. He has collaborated with partners in the justice system to address the statewide sexual assault kit backlog and explore evidence-based strategies for reducing juvenile recidivism.
Santos started his legal career as an intern with the Public Defender’s Service and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C. He served as a law clerk for current Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu when she served on the King County Superior Court. Santos also worked for a year as a consultant to the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development in D.C.
Santos earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University, where he co-founded the Filipino American Student Association and one of the first Filipino American fraternities in the country. He earned his law degree from American University in Washington, D.C.
He lives in Seattle with his wife and two children.