Gov. Gregoire appoints Judge Lisa Worswick to state Court of Appeals

For Immediate Release: April 26, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced the appointment of Judge Lisa Worswick to the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II. Worswick is currently a Pierce County Superior Court Judge. She replaces retiring Judge Elaine Houghton.

�Judge Worswick has earned an excellent reputation among her peers � and I can see why,� Gregoire said. �Her positive attitude, combined with her tireless work ethic and knowledge of the law has been a true asset to Pierce County. I�m confident she will continue to serve Pierce County and all counties of the Division II Court of Appeals well in this new role.�

�"I want to thank Governor Gregoire for giving me this opportunity to serve the community in this important position,� Worswick said. �I am honored and humbled by her faith in me."

Following graduation from the University of Washington School of Law, Worswick began her legal career in private practice focusing on insurance defense, and later serving as prosecutor and police advisor for several Puget Sound cities while working at Luce & Associates in Fife. In 1997, Worswick became a municipal court judge in the city of Roy, followed by an appointment to the Pierce County District Court. In 2002, Gov. Gary Locke appointed Worswick as Superior Court Judge for Pierce County.

�Governor Gregoire has hit another home run by appointing Judge Lisa Worswick to Division II of the Court of Appeals,� said Court of Appeals Division II Chief Judge Marywave Van Deren. �Judge Worswick has been a respected judge on the Pierce County Superior Court and has the confidence and respect of the bar and her judicial colleagues. She has handled many complex and difficult cases as a superior court judge, experiences that will be invaluable when reviewing trial court decisions. She will be an outstanding addition to our court and we know she will serve the public well in this new position.�

�Lisa Worswick is a smart court pick,� said Houghton. �She is highly respected by the bench and bar. Her superior legal skills, respect for the law, sound judgment and solid ethics will serve her well as an appellate court judge. Her extensive experience as a superior court judge brings an added depth to a very fine court. The state�s citizens and the court will benefit greatly from her becoming a judge on Division II of the Court of Appeals.�


When not practicing law, Worswick has been very involved in the Pierce County community. She is an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. She has also volunteered as a house painter for the �Paint Tacoma � Pierce Beautiful� campaign, which organizes volunteer crews to paint the homes of low-income seniors and low-income people with disabilities in Pierce County.

Worswick�s appointment is effective May 3, 2010.


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