Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 29, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke appoints North to bench before elected term begins

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke has appointed Seattle attorney Douglass A. North to the King County Superior Court bench, effective October 9.

North ran a successful campaign for the job, but ordinarily would not replace retiring Judge Patricia Aitken until Jan. 1, 2001, when his elected term begins. Locke made the appointment because Aitken chose to retire before the end of her term.

"I appreciate your willingness to fill Judge Aitken's vacancy before your term begins," said Locke. "I am confident that your talents, experience and background will make you an outstanding judge."

Locke said that North is a highly qualified attorney with solid judicial experience. North has represented both individuals and businesses on appeal, and has served as a pro tem judge on both the King County District and Superior Court benches. In 1991, he won a "Judges Choice Award" when his peers selected him as one of the top dozen litigators in the state.

He graduated from Stanford University with honors in 1974 and earned his law degree from the University of Washington in 1977.

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