News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 17, 1997
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke appoints highly regarded jurists to Spokane judicial posts

SPOKANE - Gov. Gary Locke announced today in Spokane that he has selected Superior Court Judge Ken Kato for the Court of Appeals position vacated by the recent resignation of Judge Philip J. Thompson.

Locke said that Kato, a 48-year-old Spokane native, will be a first-rate appeals court judge. "I am extremely impressed with Judge Kato's rare intelligence and insight," Locke said. "We consulted extensively with the legal community of Spokane and Eastern Washington," he added. "I was truly struck by how strongly the legal experts spoke with one voice in favor of his selection."

Kato has served as a superior court judge in Spokane since January, 1996. He was a commissioner for the appeals court for the previous eight years. As a commissioner, Kato ruled on a wide variety of motions, both procedural and substantive, to come before the court. Before that he practiced law for the Spokane firm of Huppin Ewing and Anderson. He is an honors graduate of the University of Washington, from which he also received his law degree.

Locke said the review process that was followed in making the selection was rigorous. "We consulted with all the judges on Division III of the Appeals Court, with the majority of the Spokane Superior Court judges, and with most of the leaders of the Spokane County Bar Association. We examined the bar association ratings and spoke with leaders in the legal communities of several other counties surrounding Spokane, and involved prosecutors and a variety of other leaders in the legal and judicial communities. They all agreed Ken Kato will be a superb Appeals Court judge," Locke said.

Kato is very involved in the Japanese-American and Korean-American communities, and has an active participant in minority and multicultural affairs programs for students and prospective law students, as well as in the general community.

Kato, who is active in the Asian Bar Association of Washington and the bar associations for Spokane County and the state, starts Oct. 9 at an annual salary of $106,537. He will stand for election in November, 1998.

The appointment of Kato to the appeals court created a vacancy in superior court, which Locke announced he has filled by naming Linda Tompkins to the post.

Tompkins has been an attorney in private practice with the Spokane firm Lukins and Annis for the past 10 years. Her legal emphasis has been on business and employment litigation and as general counsel to school districts.

"Linda Tompkins is highly qualified for this position based on her experience, her temperament, her energy and eagerness to work hard, and the solid reputation she enjoys among her peers," Locke said. "Following a comprehensive effort to consult with legal and judicial experts in Eastern Washington, it's clear there is widespread agreement Linda will be an outstanding Superior Court judge."

Tompkins graduated from the University of Idaho and Gonzaga University law school. She is active in the community through membership on the board of directors of a local food bank, the Spokane Valley Center for Sharing, and is a past president of the Central Valley School District and the Spokane Chamber of Commerce. She currently serves on the state Transportation Commission, the board of the Washington State School Directors Association and is a member of Momentum Spokane.

Tompkins will begin her duties on the bench in mid-October at an annual salary of $100,995. She will stand for election in November, 1998.

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