FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 22, 1996

Lowry appoints Van Deren to Pierce County Superior Court

OLYMPIA - Gov. Mike Lowry has named Tacoma family law attorney Marywave Van Deren to the 19th position on the Pierce County Superior Court. Van Deren has been a pro tem judge and court commissioner with the court since 1991.

A Pierce County native, Van Deren grew up working on a strawberry and cucumber farm near Puyallup and won awards as a 4-H club member. She was also valedictorian at Eatonville High School. After receiving a master's degree in library science from the University of Washington, she worked at libraries in Pierce County before moving to Hawaii with her husband, who was in the Navy. Van Deren returned to school and graduated from the UW School of Law in 1982.

"Marywave is a fine choice for this position as she has dedicated nearly her entire practice to family law issues right in Pierce County," Lowry said. "She is highly regarded by her peer attorneys and the judges she has stood before, and will be an excellent addition to their ranks."

Van Deren, 50, was a founding member of the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association Family Law Section and is a trustee for the county bar. She was rated "exceptionally well qualified" by the county bar.

The 19th position is a newly created slot on the superior court bench and will not be effective until Oct. 9, but the early appointment means Van Deren will not have to face election this year. She had been planning to file for another position on the court this week, but her appointment precludes that action. When she begins, Van Deren will earn $99,015 annually. She will face election in 1997.

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For more information, contact the Governor's Communications Office at 360-753-6790.