Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 3, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke names Fair to Snohomish County Superior Court

EVERETT — Gov. Gary Locke today named Ellen Jennie Fair of Edmonds to the Snohomish County Superior Court's new judicial position.

"Ellen has the right kind of legal and real-life experience to serve in this capacity," Locke said. "She will bring intelligent, fair, thoughtful and compassionate justice to the bench."

Fair, 42, currently is a judge in the South District Court for Snohomish County. She will fill the Superior Court's new 14th position, created when the state legislature and the Snohomish County Commission approved funding for the slot.

Fair was born and raised in Seattle and graduated from the University of Washington law school. She practiced tax law in Seattle before she began serving as Snohomish County deputy prosecutor in 1983. For 10 years, she handled criminal cases, ranging from domestic violence to murders and arson.

In 1994, Fair was elected to fill an open seat on the South Snohomish County District Court in Lynnwood, and became its presiding judge in 1997.

Fair holds membership in a variety of legal organizations and has served as instructor and speaker for professional seminars. She also has been active in the Children's Advocacy Center and is a regular participant in the "judges in the classroom" program.

She is married to Doug Fair, a lawyer in Everett, and they have two children.

Fair will begin her term April 1 and will stand for election this November. The post carries an annual salary of $100,995.

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