Supreme Court Justice Pos 5

Legal/Judicial Experience

41 years legal experience; trial judge (18 years, Ret.), trial lawyer (23 years). Rated AV Preeminent as a trial lawyer and Exceptionally Well Qualified (Judge and Supreme Court candidate). 

Other Professional Experience

Mediator and arbitrator (1990-2008); President, Federal Way School Board

Education

JD, Seattle University School of Law; BA, University of Puget Sound.

Community Service

DMCJA President’s Award for Protecting Judicial Independence (2018); Judge William Nevins Award (2014) and Hero of Federal Way Schools (2018, 2022) for Commitment to Civics Education; Best City Leader (2022); Kiwanis (Everyday Hero Award and more); Founder, Aktion Club of Federal Way (service club for adults with developmental disabilities), and more.

Statement

Judge Dave Larson's 41 years of distinguished experience, 18 years as a trial judge, 23 as a trial lawyer, form an unrivaled record making him the most qualified and best prepared candidate for our state’s highest court. 

Dave will restore trust in our courts by rising above partisan interests, applying the law without fear or favor, and restoring judicial independence. A truly nonpartisan candidate, Dave reaches out to Democrats, Republicans, Labor, Business, and voters across Eastern and Western Washington, because justice that serves only some of us serves none of us. He will protect your individual rights and the judicial independence that is currently under threat. 

Dave’s innovative criminal justice reforms have been recognized nationwide. He has collaborated with legislative Democrats and Republicans to help our trial courts address crime and addiction with compassion and accountability. However, our Supreme Court’s decisions have weakened that response. As a justice, he will help fix current problems and build towards lasting and effective solutions. 

Our Supreme Court needs Dave’s unique perspective gained from his significant trial judge experience. That experience, integrity, and steady judgment are exactly what’s needed to restore trust in, and improve, our courts. Vote Judge Dave Larson for Supreme Court.

Legal/Judicial Experience

Current Supreme Court Justice appointed by Governor Ferguson following a diverse, award-winning 26-year legal career as a Partner at K&L Gates.

Other Professional Experience

Throughout career, led Appellate and Intellectual Property teams, and pro bono cases representing immigrant children, veterans, refugees, small businesses, and people experiencing homelessness.

Education

BA, Claremont McKenna College; MA, Oxford University; MA, London School of Economics; JD, Yale University

Community Service

Trustee, King County Bar Association; President, Middle Eastern Legal Association of Washington; Member, Attorney General's Youth Internet Safety Task Force; Founders Award, Kids in Need of Defense; ACLU Humanitarian Award; Mentor of the Year, King County Bar Association

Statement

As a Justice and throughout my legal career, I’ve fought for the rule of law, the rights of all individuals, and to ensure our courts remain fair, independent, and accessible. Before joining the Supreme Court, I frequently volunteered to help people who couldn’t afford lawyers. I sued the federal government when they forced children—as young as 4 years old—to appear without lawyers in immigration court. The federal government eventually agreed to pay for lawyers, and the ACLU gave me the Humanitarian Award.

I also represented an Army veteran, a naturalized U.S. citizen, after ICE wrongly detained him for seven months. The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project gave me the Amicus Award for my “groundbreaking work”.

I’ve worked to mentor attorneys to expand diversity in our profession, and with Turkish and Greek ancestry, I am proud to be the first Justice of Middle Eastern descent on our highest court.  

I am endorsed by all of my colleagues on the Supreme Court; Governors Ferguson and Gregoire; former U.S. Attorneys Durkan, Gorman, and McKay; over 500 Judges and attorneys statewide; 52 State Legislators; Executive Zahilay; mayors statewide; WA State Labor Council; King County and numerous LD Democrats; and more!