Governor Inslee Appoints More Zag Alumni to the Washington State Judiciary

On December 6, 2018, Governor Jay Inslee appointed Gonzaga Law alumnus Paul Thompson ('04) to the Snohomish County Superior Court effective January 2019. He replaced the Honorable Ellen Fair who retired at the end of 2018.

Thompson has served the Snohomish County community as a public defender for the past 11 years and as counsel for defense in Chelan County. But he began his career as a legal intern in Spokane. Inslee said, “[Thompson is] highly regarded by those who know him and have worked with him. His even and professional temperament, and his sense of justice, will be a fine addition to the Snohomish County bench.”

"[Thompson's] even and professional temperament, and his sense of justice, will be a fine addition to the Snohomish County bench.”

On December 18, 2018, Governor Inslee also appointed Gonzaga Law alumnus Donald J. Richter ('07)  to the Wahkiakum and Pacific County Superior Court effective in early 2019. He replaced the Honorable Doug Goelz, who retired at the end of 2018.

Richter has served Pacific and Cowlitz Counties as a deputy county prosecutor for the past four-and-a-half years, most recently as the chief deputy prosecutor in Pacific County where he has supported the successful drug court. Before that, he served as a criminal defense attorney and prosecutor in Spokane County. As a Gonzaga law student, he worked as a legal intern in the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and volunteered with the Volunteer Lawyer Program where he helped individuals in a broad range of family law matters.

“Don has earned a solid reputation among his peers as a compassionate, thoughtful attorney with a big heart and strong sense of justice,” Inslee said. “He has a wealth of trial experience, and I look forward to him continuing his public service in Pacific and Wahkiakum Counties.

"Don has earned a solid reputation among his peers as a compassionate, thoughtful attorney with a big heart and strong sense of justice."