Gov. Gregoire appoints King County Superior Court judge

For Immediate Release: May 9, 2011

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire announced today that she will appoint Patrick Oishi to the King County Superior Court. Oishi has served as Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner since 2010.

�Patrick had a highly accomplished career as a criminal prosecutor followed by experience in civil litigation,� said Gregoire. �This experience together with the multitude of cases he has presided over as a court commissioner will make Patrick a strong addition to the King County Superior Court.�

�I am extremely honored and privileged to be appointed by Governor Gregoire to serve the citizens of the State of Washington and King County as Superior Court Judge,� said Oishi. �I look forward to serving with the distinguished judiciary, will act fairly and impartially, and will provide respectful service to the citizens of King County.�

For more than a decade, Oishi served as a deputy prosecuting attorney in the Pierce County Prosecutor�s Office. There, he tried more than 90 jury trials, many involving violent felony offenses. In 2008 Oishi moved to private practice with Lee Smart, P.S. to seek new professional challenges closer to his Seattle home. There he focused on cases involving torts, professional malpractice, construction, school law and real estate licensing.

Oishi became the criminal court commissioner of the Pierce County Superior Court in 2010, presiding over a variety of proceedings in adult felony criminal cases. He has also conducted settlement conferences involving complex family law issues.

�Commissioner Oishi will be an excellent addition to the King County Superior Court,� remarked Presiding Judge Richard McDermott. �We enthusiastically welcome him and look forward to having him join us on the bench.�

Oishi earned a bachelor�s degree from Seattle University, where he later earned a law degree in 1996. Before attending law school he was a teacher at Kilo Junior High School in the Federal Way School District.

Oishi is a member of the Task Force on Race and the Criminal Justice System, a collaborative initiative of the state�s three law schools and the Washington State Access to Justice Board. He is also a board member of the Asian Bar Association of Washington. He has participated in King County Youth and Law Forums and as a judge for the Seattle University School of Law Mock Trial and Moot Court Competitions.

An active member in the community, Oishi has supported the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through its Team in Training program, and has coached in the Seattle Youth Soccer Association and other sports programs.