Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 27, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke names Catherine Shaffer to King County Superior Court

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today named Catherine Shaffer, of Shoreline, to the King County Superior Court.

"Catherine Shaffer brings outstanding qualifications to the King County Superior Court bench," said Locke in announcing the appointment.

"Her extensive experience in criminal and civil law prepares her well for the rigors of the bench. Her recognized expertise in sexual assault and domestic violence cases will add to the Court's depth." Locke added, "Her dedication to community service is exemplary."

Shaffer won the post in the General Election on Nov. 7, and is scheduled to begin her elected term on Jan. 8. Locke appointed Shaffer to fill the vacancy left by retiring Judge Richard Ishikawa, who resigned in October.

The appointment will allow Shaffer to begin serving right away and help relieve congestion on the court's docket. Her appointed term will run from Nov. 27 to Jan. 7.

Shaffer, 42, has served as senior deputy prosecuting attorney in the King County prosecutor's office since July 1990. Since August 1998, Shaffer supervised prosecution of all juvenile sexual assault and domestic violence cases in King County. She has experience with criminal proceedings, including felony jury trials, sentencings and appeals.

Shaffer also has served as Judge Pro Tem with Des Moines Municipal Court since January 1999. Prior to her work with the King County Prosecutor's Office, Shaffer served as an associate with a private law firm in commercial civil litigation practice.

Shaffer graduated as a Wellesley Scholar from Wellesley College in Massachusetts with a bachelor's degree in American Studies and Political Science in 1980. She then earned her juris doctorate with high academic honors from the Columbia School of Law at Columbia University in New York in 1986.

Her public service includes work with the King County Bar Association, Step Up Program, King County Washington Women Lawyers, King County Employees Charitable Campaign, Working Group on Juvenile Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Youth and the Law Forum, African American Cultural Center of Kent and as a spokeswoman for a Shoreline neighborhood association.

The position carries an annual salary of $111,549.

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