Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 28, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke names Antosz to Grant County Superior Court

EPHRATA — Gov. Gary Locke today appointed John Michael Antosz of Ephrata to the Grant County Superior Court's new judicial position.

"John is universally respected by his colleagues for his solid expertise in a wide variety of legal matters," Locke said. "He will bring the right kind of integrity, fairness, hard work and breadth of experience to the bench."

Antosz, 41, currently practices law with the Hansen law firm in Ephrata. He will fill the Superior Court's new third position, created when the state legislature and Grant County approved funding for the post.

Antosz grew up in Chicago, but spent his summers in Eastern Washington. Upon graduating from Valparaiso University, he headed to Washington permanently. He earned his doctorate degree from the Gongaza University law school. He joined the Hansen law firm in 1984. For the past 15 years, he has handled a wide variety of legal cases, ranging from crop liens and divorces to bankruptcy and criminal and civil litigation.

In 1994, Antosz began serving part-time as a judge pro tem on both the Grant County Superior and District courts. He has presided over civil and domestic trials, as well as cases on the domestic, paternity and juvenile offender dockets.

Antosz is an active member of the bar association and has twice served as president of the Grant County Bar Association. He also works tirelessly in the community, participating in many public projects through the Ephrata Moose Lodge.

The swearing-in date for Antosz has been tentatively set for Jan. 3, 2000, and he will stand for election next November. The post carries an annual salary of $108,300.

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