(The Center Square) – Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee has announced the appointment of attorney Dean Tze-Ming Chuang to fill a new, additional judicial post in Spokane County Superior Court.
Chuang, 44, is scheduled to take the bench on Monday, Jan. 8, becoming the county’s 13th superior court judge. Currently, he is a partner at the Spokane law firm of Crary, Chuang & Domanico, primarily handling personal injury cases, general litigation, and misdemeanor and felony crimes.
“Dean Chuang is well respected and well prepared to serve the Spokane County community in this role,” Inslee said in a press release Thursday. “I’m pleased that he will bring his work ethic, courage, and skills to the Spokane County Superior Court bench.”
Chuang was among 15 candidates considered for the appointment, said Mike Faulk, a spokesman for the governor’s office.
In Washington state, superior court judges preside over felony criminal cases, civil disputes over $50,000, real estate matters, domestic relations, juvenile and probate courts, adoptions and child dependencies, and district court appeals. The positions are nonpartisan carrying four-year terms. However, judicial appointments to vacancies or new positions are considered interim under state law and Chuang’s post will be up for election in November 2024 for the unexpired term.
In Washington, the state and presiding county split the cost of a superior court judge’s salary, which is currently $217,391 a year.
Spokane County has had state authorization to add a 13th judge for about two decades, but local funding was not approved until earlier this month when commissioners agreed to include it in the 2024 budget. Additionally, the county will be funding a court reporter position, deputy clerk, and judicial assistant for the new court team. Commissioners are hopeful that will speed up handling of cases, particularly in the criminal justice system.
Chuang earned his law degree from Gonzaga University’s School of Law in Spokane. He also holds bachelor degrees from Whitman College and the University of Washington. Chuang joined his current law firm as an associate attorney in 2008 and became a partner in 2011. Prior to that, he served as a contract public defender for the City of Kennewick and handled civil cases including family and administrative law matters.
The governor’s office said Chuang has “a strong record of giving back to his community, including service on the advisory committee to the Office of Public Defense, providing pro bono legal work in support of the Housing Justice Project for multiple years, and coaching mock trial for local youth.”
He is currently a member of the U.S. Army Reserve and former member of the U.S. Army and Washington State Army National Guard, serving in both Syria and northern Iraq and earning multiple medals for meritorious service, the governor’s office said.
Other candidates considered for the judicial appointment in Spokane County were Francis Adewale, Ward Andrews, Dennis Cronin, Deanna Crull, Eugene Cruz, Melissa Haley, Michelle Hess, Shadan Kapri, Jerry Scharosch, Hannah Stearns, Kevin Stewart, Nichole Swennumson, Theresa Thin Elk and Andrew Van Winkle.