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 citizens 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 not only an efficient judicial system, but also a healthy democracy and vital economy.
The Governor’s Office is considering potential changes to the process for seeking judicial appointments. At this time, for any currently noticed vacancies, interested candidates should follow the existing process for seeking a judicial appointment, which is outlined below.
Appointments to date
- Governor Ferguson has not made any judicial appointments.
Current judicial vacancy notice(s)
Seeking judicial appointment
Please complete and submit the Uniform Judicial Evaluation Questionnaire,* an information waiver, and a brief resume (no more than three pages). Applications should be submitted (either electronically or by mailing a hard copy) directly to the Governor’s Chief Legal Counsel, who is in charge of the Governor’s judicial evaluation and selection process, at the following address:
Chief Legal Counsel
Office of the Governor
Legislative Building
P.O. Box 40002
Olympia, Washington 98504
Email: Judicial@gov.wa.gov
*The questionnaire is appropriate for appointments to the Superior Court, the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.
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
Evaluations from the state, county, and affinity bar associations help the Governor locate 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 regularly updated 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 thoughts 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.