Gov. Chris Gregoire on Monday appointed Pierce County Superior Court Judge Lisa Worswick to the state Court of Appeals, Division II.
The appointment is effective next Monday, and Worswick’s last day on the Superior Court bench – where she’s served since 2002 – will be Friday. She will replace appellate Judge Elaine Houghton, who is retiring Friday after 17 years on the Division II bench.
Gregoire praised Worswick’s breadth of experience, administrative skills and “sheer enthusiasm” during remarks at Division II headquarters in downtown Tacoma.
Worswick, a 1982 graduate of the University of Washington Law School, has worked as a municipal prosecutor, a District Court commissioner, a Municipal Court judge and a private practice attorney.
“Her broad experience will serve her well,” the governor said.
Worswick said she was “honored and humbled” by the appointment.
“I will work hard, be prepared, listen with an open mind and be fair to everybody who comes before me,” Worswick said.
As a Superior Court judge, Worswick presided over felony criminal cases and complex civil lawsuits.
She made headlines in 2003 when she ruled that the Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Health could compel local water providers to fluoridate their water.
More recently, Worswick presided over the second-degree rape trial of former Tacoma middle school principal Harold Wright, who was convicted of the lesser charge of third-degree rape.
His conviction later was overturned when Division II judges ruled Worswick erred when she allowed the jury to consider the lesser charge.
As an appellate judge, Worswick will hear appeals and write opinions about legal matters pertaining to lower court decisions. Division II serves 13 Western Washington counties, including Pierce and Thurston.
Worswick’s father-in-law, Stanley Worswick, served on the Division II bench for 22 years, retiring in 1991.
Her departure from Superior Court leaves two open seats on that bench.
Gregoire already has begun interviewing candidates for the Department 9 seat left open when Michael Hecht resigned last year after being convicted of felony harassment and patronizing a prostitute. She is expected to appoint someone to that position soon.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association is expected to begin soliciting applications for Worswick’s Department 16 seat in the next few weeks.
Superior Court and Court of Appeals judges are elected – Worswick will have to stand for election to the Division II seat later this year – but vacancies are filled by appointment. The governor makes a selection after consulting with leaders of the state and local bar associations.
The process starts with a formal notice of vacancy sent to the bar association.
Next, the bar association requests applications. Candidate interviews follow, then a poll of the bar association, then analysis and finally a recommendation to the governor, who makes the pick.
Adam Lynn: 253-597-8644
adam.lynn@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/crime
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