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

Gov. Gregoire appoints Yakima Superior Court Judge

For Immediate Release: December 22, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced she will appoint Robert Lawrence-Berrey to the Yakima County Superior Court. Lawrence-Berrey is currently an attorney at Finney, Falk, Lawrence-Berrey & Naught. He will replace Judge Michael Schwab, who is retiring and steps down from the bench at the end of the year.

�Rob brings to the court a strong legal background, experience in many areas of the law, and judicial experience as a pro tem judge and commissioner,� Gregoire said. �His dedication to fairness and his knowledge of the law will be an asset for the citizens of Yakima County.�

�Given our tremendously high caseload, we needed an appointee who was aware of our challenges and was capable of hitting them head on,� said Presiding Judge Ruth Reukauf. �Rob Lawrence-Berry is that person.�
Lawrence-Berrey has been in private practice in Yakima since 1990, and joined Finney, Falk, Lawrence-Berrey & Naught in 1997. He previously worked at the firms Peters & Fowler and Halverson & Appelgate. His primary areas of practice have included agriculture, construction, insurance and commercial law. Lawrence-Berrey has gained extensive trial experience and significant appellate experience.

�I look forward to working with the other judges toward maintaining the high standards set by retiring Judge Schwab, who served Yakima County for many years with distinction,� said Lawrence-Berrey.

�The Governor has made an excellent choice in the selection of Robert Lawrence-Berrey to sit on the Yakima County Superior Court,� Judge Schwab said. �Rob will bring experience, energy and sensitivity to the Court and will be able to hit the ground running effective immediately.�

Lawrence-Berrey serves as president of the Yakima County Volunteer Attorney Services, as a member of the Bench-Bar Liaison Committee, and as a Trinity Family Fellowship Deacon. He recently served on the Yakima Symphony Orchestra Board.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Whitman College and his law degree from Willamette University.

The appointment is effective January 11, 2011.