Contact Information

  • Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gregoire appoints Laurel Siddoway to state Court of Appeals

For Immediate Release: March 24, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced the appointment of Laurel Siddoway to the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division III. Siddoway is currently an attorney at Randall Danskin in Spokane.

�Laurel brings a vast amount of experience to this position,� Gregoire said. �Her legal expertise covers a broad spectrum � from commercial litigation to media law � and she has earned the respect of her colleagues statewide. She has big shoes to fill at the Court of Appeals, and I have no doubt she will fill them well and will fairly serve the people of Eastern Washington.�

�I am excited by the challenges of this new position and thank Governor Gregoire for giving me the honor and the opportunity to work with the excellent judges of Division III,� Siddoway said. �It is also an honor to take the seat of Retired Judge John Schultheis who served the people of Eastern Washington and the State so ably for thirty five years.�

Siddoway started as an associate at Randall & Danskin in 1985, before becoming a managing principal at the firm. Her legal experience includes positions at law firms and as in-house cousel to businesses. Siddoway also taught as an adjunct professor at Gonzaga University for several years.

�Laurel is an exceptional lawyer who has handled complex cases, always with the utmost professionalism and skill,� said Justice Debra Stephens, who was a judge on Division III before joining the Washington Supreme Court. �I know she will bring her deep understanding of the law to the issues that are important to the people of Eastern Washington. She will be an excellent judge.�

Siddoway earned a bachelor�s and master�s degree in philosophy from the University of Utah before attending the University of Utah College of Law. Her appointment is effective Monday, May 10.

Gregoire today also announced the appointment of Michael Spearman to the Court of Appeals, Division I.