Gov. Gregoire appoints Michael Spearman to state Court of Appeals

For Immediate Release: March 24, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced the appointment of Judge Michael Spearman to the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division I. Spearman is a former King County Superior Court Judge who is currently an attorney at Judicial Dispute Resolution, LLC in Seattle.

�Judge Spearman�s experience as a trial judge is a real asset to the Court of Appeals,� Gregoire said. �He is highly regarded by those he has worked with for his intelligence, incredible work ethic and thoughtful decisions. I am confident he will bring these attributes to his new role.�

"I thank Governor Gregoire for the opportunity and the privilege to serve the people of the State of Washington as a member of the Court of Appeals,� Spearman said. �I am honored to follow in the footsteps of Judge Susan Agid, respected for her well reasoned opinions and her dedication to justice and fairness. I look forward to working with my new colleagues in service to the people of this state."

Prior to joining Judicial Dispute Resolution, LLC in 2007 � where he provides mediation and arbitration services in a variety of civil matters � Spearman served as a King County Superior Court Judge for nearly 15 years, where he successfully handled thousands of complex cases. Governors Lowry and Locke both appointed Spearman as a commissioner on the state�s Sentencing Guidelines Commission.

�Michael has an understanding of the trial process that is invaluable to a judge on the Court of Appeals,� said Washington State Supreme Court Chief Justice Barbara Madsen. �His rulings are thoughtful, fair and well reasoned. Michael will serve the public with intelligence and compassion in this new position.�

Spearman earned a bachelor�s degree in political science from Brown University before attending New York University School of Law. He was also an E. Barrett Prettyman Fellow at Georgetown University Law Center.

Gregoire today also announced the appointment of Laurel Siddoway to the Court of Appeals, Division III.