Pierce County is getting a new judge. Here’s what we know about her
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Gov. appointed Doris Walkins as Pierce County Superior Court judge effective Feb. 25.
- Walkins has 20+ years legal experience and served as a court commissioner since 2022.
- Walkins campaigned for Superior Court judge in 2024 but lost in the general election.
A veteran South Sound litigator who has served as a court commissioner since 2022 will fill a soon-to-be vacant position as a Pierce County Superior Court judge, Gov. Bob Ferguson announced Feb. 18.
Doris Walkins, a Superior Court commissioner with more than 20 years of legal experience, will replace Judge Karena Kirkendoll effective Feb. 25, according to Ferguson’s announcement. Kirkendoll, who was elected to her position in 2016, is resigning.
“Doris Walkins has spent her entire legal career in the south Puget Sound area doing exceptional work on behalf of Washingtonians,” Ferguson said in a news release. “Her expertise and passion for public service will serve Washington well on the Pierce County Superior Court bench.”
Superior Court Administrator Chris Gaddis told The News Tribune on Feb. 18 that Kirkendoll is retiring. Gaddis said Kirkendoll was out of the office and would not be back before her last day, so she would not be available to comment.
As a court commissioner, Walkins presided over a wide range of civil and juvenile criminal dockets, the Governor’s Office said.
“As a Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner, I have been able to continue ensuring that litigants appearing before me have meaningful access to our courts, and are treated fairly and respectfully, within the bounds of the law,” Walkins said in the news release. “I look forward to carrying on those efforts in continued collaboration with my benchmates, as a Pierce County Superior Court Judge.”
Walkins campaigned to become a Superior Court judge in 2024. She lost to Scott Peters in the general election.
Before she was a full-time court commissioner, Walkins was a civil attorney in Pierce County focusing on family law, dependency, adoption and estate planning.
Walkins also handled misdemeanor and occasional felony criminal cases as a private attorney. She served as a pro tem court commissioner and was a Title 26 guardian ad litem for 13 years. According to state law, RCW 26.12.175, a guardian ad litem represents the interests of a minor or dependent child in court proceedings to protect their best interests.
“I’ve dedicated my professional life to doing my part to ensure access to justice is not just a buzz word, but an actual action on behalf of some of our most vulnerable neighbors,” Walkins said.
Ferguson’s office said Walkins’ community service efforts and performance on the bench earned her the 2025 Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association’s Community Service Award for “Outstanding Jurist.”
Walkins earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington Tacoma and her law degree from the Seattle University School of Law.
Before Walkins started her legal career, she worked as a domestic-violence survivors’ advocate for five years at the Tacoma Pierce County YWCA Women’s Support Shelter. The Governor’s Office said that in her free time, she enjoys attending concerts and plays, visiting museums, roller skating and reading.
This story was originally published February 18, 2026 at 12:43 PM.
