Gov. Gregoire appoints Superior Court judge for King County

For Immediate Release: January 26, 2012

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced she will appoint Barbara Linde to the King County Superior Court. Linde is currently the King County District Court Chief Presiding judge where she chairs the King County District Court Executive Committee. Linde replaces Judge Philip G. Hubbard, Jr., who announced his retirement from the bench effective January 3, 2012.

�Judge Linde brings a demonstrated ability to thoughtfully decide cases that come before her and also to contribute to the administration of the court,� Gregoire said. �She is committed to serving the citizens of King County well in all aspects of the courts� work.�

�I have loved serving the people of King County as a District Court judge for the past 17 years, and treating every person with respect, ensuring fairness, and making justice a reality,� said Linde. �I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to continue that service on the King County Superior Court bench.�

Linde started her legal career with the King County Prosecuting Attorney�s Office where she worked on felony prosecutions in Superior Court, trying about 100 felony jury trials to verdict, including a number of murder prosecutions. Some of her work was in the Special Assault Unit handling sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence cases. She later was elected as King County District Court judge where she heard both civil and criminal cases.

�Judge Linde has been a dynamic and courageous leader as Chief Presiding judge for King County District Court at a time when the courts of our state are facing unprecedented challenges,� said Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Barbara Madsen. �Judge Linde will bring the same wisdom, experience and leadership she has demonstrated in the district court to her new role as a judge in the King County Superior Court.�

�Judge Linde�s 17 years of service as a District Court judge has set a benchmark for professional, fair and compassionate public service. Under her leadership, King County District Court has been a nationally recognized innovator in modernizing court operations while improving the public�s access to the justice system,� King County Executive Dow Constantine said. �I am grateful that she will continue to serve the people of King County and I thank Governor Gregoire for this appointment.�

Currently, Linde serves on a number of court committees, including the King County District Court Probation Committee, King County Regional Law Safety and Justice Committee, and co-chair of the King County Mental Illness/Drug Dependency Oversight Committee. In 2010 she was one of 11 judges invited to participate in the National Center for State Courts Leadership Forum for Presiding Judges.

Linde earned her bachelor�s degree from the University of Washington before graduating cum laude from the Seattle University School of Law (originally the University of Puget Sound Law School).


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