Andrea Darvas
Andrea Darvas was a judge for Department 23 of the King County Superior Court in Washington. She left office on January 13, 2025.
Darvas won re-election for the Department 23 judge of the King County Superior Court in Washington outright after the general election on November 3, 2020, was canceled.
Biography
Education
Darvas received her undergraduate degree in zoology from the University of Michigan and her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.[1]
Career
Darvas spent 22 years as a private practice attorney prior to becoming a judge. Her practice focused on personal injury, medical negligence, and insurance coverage litigation and trial.[1]
Awards and associations
- Received "AV" rating from Martindale- Hubbell as a lawyer
- 2002-2004: Named "Super Lawyer" in Washington Law and Politics
- 2003: Listed as one of the "Top 50 Women" in Washington Law and Politics
- 2002: Professionalism Award, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association
- Science and Technology Fellow, Advanced Science and Technology Adjudication Resource Center (ASTAR)
- Board of Trustees, Public Law Library of King County
- Former trustee, Superior Court Judges Association
- Member of Education Committee and Equality and Fairness Committee, Superior Court Judges Association[1]
Elections
2020
See also: Municipal elections in King County, Washington (2020)
General election
The general election was canceled. Andrea Darvas (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.
2016
Washington held general elections for local judicial offices on November 8, 2016. Candidates for district and superior court seats had to file for election by May 20, 2016. Primary elections were held on August 2, 2016, for six seats where more than two candidates filed for election.
Darvas won re-election without appearing on a ballot in 2016 because no challengers emerged by the May 2016 filing deadline.[2] In counties with a population that is greater than 100,000, if only one superior court candidate files for election for a judgeship, that candidate is automatically elected and the county does not hold a general election for the seat. According to the 2010 census, the following counties have a population greater than 100,000:[3]
Noteworthy cases
Seattle airport exempt from $15 minimum wage law, judge rules
- See also: King County Superior Court, Washington
In November, voters from the City of SeaTac, Washington approved a measure that would increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour. However, Judge Andrea Darvas struck down part of that law on December 27, 2013, exempting the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport from the wage hike.
Businesses in the area have protested the measure, saying that it will hurt their operations and lead to job cuts. A lawsuit against the measure was led by Alaska Airlines. In their arguments before Judge Darvas in King County Superior Court, they said that the Port of Seattle, which owns and operates the airport, is a somewhat independent municipality and may run its own operations the way it sees fit. Judge Darvas agreed, writing:
| “ | The Washington State Legislature has clearly and unequivocally stated its intent that municipalities other than the Port of Seattle may not exercise any jurisdiction or control over SeaTac Airport operations, or the laws and rules governing those operations.[4][5] | ” |
The judge's ruling means that the wage hike, set to take effect on January 1, 2014, cannot apply to the approximately 4,700 employees who work at the airport. Employees of surrounding hotels and parking lots in the city will still receive the benefits of the law, which, in addition to the wage increase, includes paid sick time and greater regulation of tips.[6]
Yes For SeaTac spokeswoman Heather Weiner stated:
| “ | While we appreciate the judge's affirmation of parts of SeaTac Proposition 1, the voters approved the entire ordinance, not just parts of it.[4][5] | ” |
Alaska Airlines spokesman Paul McElroy explained his company's position that the lawsuit wasn't intended to disrespect the workers, but to challenge an initiative that the airline believes violates state law.
On December 31, supporters of the initiative requested an appeal from the Washington Supreme Court. The court has the choice whether or not to hear the case. Explained Sergio Salinas, the president of a local union, "The legal question is whether the airport is a legal island."[7]
See Ballotpedia's article on this topic for more information about the measure: City of SeaTac "Good Jobs Initiative" Minimum Wage Increase, Proposition 1 (November 2013)
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Andrea Darvas did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 King County Superior Court: Judge Andrea Darvas biographical information
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2016 Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed May 21, 2016
- ↑ U.S. Census Bureau, "Washington: Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013," accessed July 24, 2014
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Seattle PI, "Part of SeaTac's $15 minimum wage measure struck," December 27, 2013
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Ballotpedia, "City of SeaTac "Good Jobs Initiative" Minimum Wage Increase, Proposition 1 (November 2013)"
- ↑ The New York Times, "Supporters of $15 Wage Seek Appeal of Ruling," December 31, 2013
Federal courts:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Washington, Western District of Washington • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Washington, Western District of Washington
State courts:
Washington Supreme Court • Washington Court of Appeals • Washington Superior Court • Washington District Courts • Washington Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Washington • Washington judicial elections • Judicial selection in Washington
