— from Katie Long —
Attorney Katie Loring has submitted her application for appointment as the next San Juan County Superior Court Judge. In April, San Juan County Superior Court Judge, Donald E. Eaton, announced his retirement effective December 31, 2017.
Because Judge Eaton is retiring mid-term, the next San Juan County Superior Court Judge will be selected by Governor Jay Inslee rather than elected by San Juan County voters. All applicants will be subject to extensive vetting by the Governor. The appointed judge will take the bench January 1, 2018, and will stand for election to retain the position in the November 2018 election.
Katie has practiced law in San Juan County since moving to Friday Harbor in February 2008. Prior to that, she served as a judicial clerk to Washington Supreme Court Justice Mary E. Fairhurst and then practiced law at the Perkins Coie firm in Seattle. Katie has served as San Juan County Superior Court Commissioner on many occasions when Judge Eaton was unavailable.
Katie has been actively involved in the community since moving here, including through leadership roles in Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor, the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild, and in Leadership San Juan Islands, and she currently serves on the boards of trustees of the San Juan Island Library District and the San Juan County Law Library. She also has enjoyed engaging with island youth through the Family Resource Center’s mentoring program and as a coach for students in Friday Harbor High School’s mock trial program. Katie enjoys bicycling with her husband, Kyle, on San Juan Island and throughout the Northwest. Katie is excited by the possibility of serving this community as the next San Juan County Superior Court Judge.
More information about Katie Loring can be found on her firm’s website www.sjilaw.com/ or by calling Katie at 360-378-2191.
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Wonderful to see you seeking this appointment, Katie. It would be a wonderful benefit to San Juan County’s citizens to have you seated on this bench.
This is very good news. I believe Ms. Loring has the right breadth of experience to serve as the only Superior Court Judge in San Juan County. The Judge that sits in this seat has to have this deep range of knowledge, but most importantly, has to have an excellent and appropriate compass. Thanks to you for stepping up, and we hope Governor Inslee will choose wisely!