Gov. Gregoire appoints Superior Court judge for Snohomish County

For Immediate Release: December 5, 2011

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced she has appointed Janice Ellis to the Snohomish County Superior Court. Ellis is a former Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney and currently serves as a prosecutor and legal advisor for the Tulalip Tribes. She replaces Judge Kenneth L. Cowsert, who announced his retirement from the bench effective November 30, 2011.

�Janice knows the ins and outs of our court system, has served a very diverse population, and has earned the respect of the legal community for being fair and balanced,� Gregoire said. �Her extensive knowledge and courtroom experience � combined with her calm demeanor � make her a perfect fit for this role. I am confident she will serve the people of Snohomish County well.�

"It is a tremendous honor to serve the community as a Superior Court judge, and I am humbled that Governor Gregoire has entrusted me with this appointment," said Ellis. �I will join an outstanding bench and it is a particular honor to be the person called upon to assume Judge Cowsert's position. He is a legend - I will never fill his shoes, but I look forward to following in his footsteps."

�Janice Ellis has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to public service throughout her career,� said Snohomish County Superior Court Presiding Judge Ellen Fair. �She has a broad background in both criminal and civil issues and demonstrated leadership abilities. We believe that her talents, experience, integrity and work ethic will make her an outstanding addition to the Snohomish County Superior Court bench. We look forward to working with her.�

Ellis began her legal career in 1987 as an attorney at Lane, Powell, Moss & Miller in Seattle, where she handled a variety of civil litigation matters involving negligence, professional liability and insurance. In 1990, Ellis joined the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney�s Office as a deputy prosecuting attorney, working in both the criminal and civil divisions. Ellis later joined the Office of the Attorney General in the Torts Claims Division, and was an assistant attorney general for six years. During part of that time she also served as Snohomish County Superior Court judge pro tem, primarily in juvenile court.

Voters elected Ellis as Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney in 2003, making her responsible for the third largest prosecutor�s office in the state. In that role, she worked with state and local officials on policy development, provided legal advice to elected officials and department heads, and appeared in court as advocate. In 2009, she became a prosecutor for the Tulalip Tribes, where she has been responsible for prosecuting criminal matters ranging from serious violent offenses to misdemeanors. She also provides legal advice to the Tulalip Police Department and manages some civil cases and administrative duties.

�Janice Ellis is an experienced attorney with a vast knowledge of the law and the courtroom,� said Snohomish County Sheriff John Lovick. �She is committed to fair and equal justice and has earned the respect of all who have had the privilege of working with her.�

Ellis chaired the Governor�s Council on Substance Abuse from 2006 � 2009, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Dawson Place Child Advocacy Center.
Ellis earned her bachelor�s degree from Dartmouth College before graduating from the Northeastern University School of Law in 1987.