Gov. Gregoire appoints Marilyn Nitteberg-Haan to Cowlitz County Superior Court

For Immediate Release: October 17, 2011

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced she has appointed Marilyn Nitteberg-Haan to the Cowlitz County Superior Court. Since 2006, Nitteberg-Haan has served as the city attorney for the city of Longview, where she provides legal advice to city council members, staff and various boards and commissions.

�Marilyn brings to this position an impressive legal resume and a deep connection with her community,� Gregoire said. �That combination is essential to be successful in this role. I welcome Marilyn to this position, and know she will serve Cowlitz County well.�

�It is a tremendous privilege and honor to be appointed by Governor Gregoire to serve the people of Cowlitz County in this position,� said Nitteberg-Haan. �I will work hard to make the Governor and the citizens proud of my service as a fair and impartial judge who is respectful of all that come before me.�

Along with working for the city of Longview, Nitteberg-Haan�s career also includes experience as city attorney or litigation attorney for the cities of Burlington and Bellevue, as well as handling prosecutions for the city of Oak Harbor. She began her legal career in 1989 as a deputy prosecutor in the Benton County Prosecutor�s Office before joining the law firm of Tario and Associates in Mt. Vernon, and then opening her own law office where she focused on criminal defense, torts and family law.

�We welcome Ms. Haan to the Superior Court bench,� said Presiding Judge James Stonier, who is retiring at the end of the month. �She is a highly capable attorney who has a broad range of experience. We are confident she will serve this community with honor and distinction.�

�Because of Marilyn's civil and criminal experience, her maturity and wisdom, and her demonstrated community support, she will be a great judge,� said Court of Appeals Judge Jill Johanson, who formerly served on the Cowlitz County Superior Court.

�The City of Longview organization is extremely proud of Marilyn's appointment to the Cowlitz County Superior Court,� said City Manager Bob Gregory. �We believe the Governor's appointment recognizes the great work she has demonstrated during her service with the City of Longview. While we will miss her as a member of our management team and legal counsel at the city, we are pleased that the citizens of Cowlitz County will benefit from her expertise on the Cowlitz County Superior Court.�

Nitteberg-Haan served as president of the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Bar Association in 2009 and 2010, and recently became a board member for Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Legal Aid. She has been extensively involved with the area�s Vulnerable Adult Task Force, as well as the Children�s Justice and Advocacy Center.

Nitteberg-Haan earned a bachelor of arts degree at Central Washington University before graduating from the University of Puget Sound School of Law.