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Ricardo Martinez (Washington)

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Ricardo Martinez

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United States District Court for the Western District of Washington (senior status)
Tenure

2022 - Present

Years in position

3

Prior offices
United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
Successor: Kymberly Evanson

Education

Bachelor's

University of Washington, 1975

Law

University of Washington School of Law, 1980

Personal
Birthplace
Mercedes, Texas

Ricardo Martinez is a federal judge on senior status with the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. He joined the court in 2004 after being nominated by President George W. Bush (R). He served as chief judge from February 2016 to September 2022. He assumed senior status on September 5, 2022.[1]

Biography

Early life and education

A native of Mercedes, Texas, Martinez graduated from the University of Washington with his bachelor's degree in 1975 and from the University of Washington School of Law with his J.D. in 1980.[2]

Professional career

  • 2016-2022: Chief judge
  • 2022-present: Senior judge

Judicial career

Western District of Washington

Nomination Tracker
Fedbadgesmall.png
Nominee Information
Name: Ricardo S. Martinez
Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
Progress
Confirmed 245 days after nomination.
ApprovedANominated: October 14, 2003
ApprovedAABA Rating: Unanimously Well Qualified
Questionnaire:
ApprovedAHearing: January 22, 2004
Hearing Transcript: Hearing Transcript
QFRs: (Hover over QFRs to read more)
ApprovedAReported: March 4, 2004 
ApprovedAConfirmed: June 15, 2004
ApprovedAVote: 98-0

Martinez was nominated to the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington by President George W. Bush on October 14, 2003, to a new seat created by 104 Stat. 5089. The American Bar Association rated Martinez Unanimously Well Qualified for the nomination. Hearings on Martinez's nomination were held before the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 22, 2004, and his nomination was reported by U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) on March 4, 2004. Martinez was confirmed on a recorded 98-0 vote of the U.S. Senate on June 15, 2004, and he received his commission the next day. Martinez has served as chief judge of the district court since 2016.[2][3][4]

Noteworthy cases

Glacier Northwest case (2009)

See also: United States District Court for the Western District of Washington (Preserve Our Islands v. Shorelines Hearings Board, Nos. 55655-0-I, 55656-8-I)

On August 13, 2009, Judge Martinez ruled against Glacier Northwest to halt construction on a new pier project in Washington state. The judge ruled that federal agencies did not enforce environmental laws when giving Glacier Northwest the permit to build the pier. The project was halted until federal agencies investigated the environmental impact towards Chinook Salmon and southern resident Orca whales, which were on the federal endangered species list.[5]

See also

External links

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by
-
United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
2004-2022
Succeeded by
Kymberly Evanson