News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 24, 2002
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke appoints Gonzalez to King County Superior Court

SEATTLE – Gov. Gary Locke today named Steven Gonzalez to the King County Superior Court bench to replace Judge Ann Schindler, whom he appointed to the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division I, in November.

“Simply put, Steven Gonzalez is everything we could ask for in a Superior Court judicial nominee,” said Locke. “I am delighted to formalize his appointment today.”

The governor also today lauded Schindler’s credentials and bid a fond farewell to retiring Judge Walter Webster, who has served on the Court of Appeals since 1984.

Locke said he had many excellent candidates to consider for the King County Superior Court post. Before making the appointment the governor consulted the Washington State and King County bar associations, U.S. attorneys, the state Attorney General’s office and area judges, prosecutors, public defenders, clerks and secretaries.

“They all confirmed the obvious: that Steven Gonzalez was made for this position,” said Locke. “We wanted someone who would bring fresh blood and a new perspective to the court.”

Gonzalez has worked most recently as Hate Crimes Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He also has served as a pro-tem judge on civil matters in Superior and District courts. Gonzales serves on the Washington State Bar Association’s court improvement committee and is a leader in the Hispanic Bar Association, representing indigent immigrants through the Northwest Immigrants Rights Project.

Gonzales graduated from Pitzer College in Claremont, Calif., then studied and worked in Japan before returning to the U.S. to enroll at Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley. After graduating from law school, Gonzalez moved to Seattle, where he briefly went into private practice. In 1996, he joined the Seattle City Attorney’s office, and in 1997, he went to work in the major crimes section of the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Since Superior Court judges must be elected, Gonzalez will have to stand for election in November as well as in September if there is a primary challenge. The position carries an annual salary of $119,230.
Related Links:
- Washington Courts
- King County Superior Court


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