Shelly Speir
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Shelly Speir is the Position 5 judge on the Pierce County Superior Court in Washington. She won the seat in the general election on November 8, 2016.
Campaign themes
2016
Speir participated in Ballotpedia's 2016 survey of local judicial candidates. The following sections display her responses to the survey questions. When asked what non-judicial legal experience qualifies her to be a judge, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | For 18 years I have represented ordinary working people in Pierce County, and according to public records I am the only candidate for this position who has actually tried cases in Pierce County Superior Court. I have handled nearly 200 cases in Pierce County Superior Court, and in one case obtained a $2.2 million dollar verdict on behalf of my client.
I have a thorough understanding of the Rules of Evidence and of local trial procedures. I have been rated a "Super Lawyer" by Thomson Reuters (an honor bestowed on the top five percent of Washington attorneys) and am listed as one of the "Top Attorneys in Washington" by Seattle Met Magazine. In addition to working as a private attorney, I am also an MAR Arbitrator for Pierce and Thurston County Superior Courts. This means I already have experience deciding cases based on the law and facts presented, and giving rulings in a fair, unbiased manner. I am proud of the fact that unlike my opponent, who has only represented governmental entities, I have had the privilege of representing individual clients from all walks of life. I have a deep understanding of what it is like for working families to litigate in Pierce County Superior Court. I understand the emotional and financial stresses that they face during litigation, and will bring that understanding with me to the bench. I am the only candidate for this position who has strong support from our local judges. To date, 16 past and current Pierce County Superior Court judges have endorsed me, including Judge Hogan, whose seat I am running for. This is a testament to my integrity, ethics, and understanding of local courtroom procedures. I am also the only candidate for this position who has strong support from the legal community. Over 200 attorneys, from both civil and criminal practices, have endorsed me. They recognize that I am the candidate who has the integrity and experience to serve as a judge. Prior to becoming a lawyer, I was a teacher. I believe my teaching experience has not only prepared me to hear cases regarding juveniles, but it has also taught me how to collaborate with others--including mental health professionals and law enforcement--to look for creative ways to solve problems. I believe that judges need to be able to work with community stakeholders when it is time to address problems facing our justice system, such as Pierce County's mental health crisis, the lack of a well-organized specialty court for veterans, or a rising number of litigants who cannot afford an attorney.[1][2] |
” |
When asked why she was running for this particular court seat, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | I am concerned that according to recent data collected by the Washington State Bar Association, nearly half of all Washingtonians cannot afford an attorney. This means that the Pierce County Superior Court must be prepared to address barriers to justice based on parties' financial status.
Because of my experience representing ordinary working people, I am the only candidate for this position who understands what justice costs to working families. I bring a diverse perspective to the bench that would balance and compliment the perspectives of our sitting judges.[1][2] |
” |
When asked to identify one judge, past or present, who she admires, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | I admire retired Pierce County Superior Court Judge Gary Steiner. He was always prepared for his dockets, and he treated everyone who came before him with dignity and respect. But what impressed me most was the way he made parties feel welcome in his courtroom. He would even go so far as to stand in the hallway and invite people to come in early if they were ready for their hearing. If elected, I would try to follow Judge Steiner's example.[1][2] | ” |
When asked about her primary concern regarding today's judicial system in her state, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | Data collected by the Washington State Bar Association shows that nearly half of all Washingtonians cannot afford an attorney. This concerns me because if a person cannot have his or her legal issues resolved because he lacks financial resources, then our justice system has failed. I believe our courts need to look for ways to ensure that all members of our society--no matter what financial status--have access to justice.[1][2] | ” |
Additional themes
Speir offered additional comments in her Ballotpedia survey response:
| “ |
Because of my 18 years of experience representing ordinary, working people in Pierce County, I am the only candidate for this position who has a deep understanding of our court, our community, and our values. I would be honored to serve Pierce County as a Superior Court Judge.[1][2] |
” |
| —Shelly Speir (2016) | ||
Speir provided the following statement for the Washington general election voters pamphlet:
| “ |
Pierce County Superior Court experience matters. Shelly Speir is the only candidate for this position with a solid record of successful litigation in Pierce County Superior Court. Named one of the “Top Attorneys in Washington” and endorsed by more than a dozen current and retired Pierce County Superior Court judges, she has earned recognition representing ordinary, working people – not governments or corporations – people who would have no access to justice without her help. Shelly Speir understands the significant challenges facing our courts – underfunded mental health systems, juvenile justice systems needing reform, prisons with disproportionately large minority populations, and litigation that has become prohibitively expensive for the middle class. We need experienced, proven leaders like Shelly Speir in our courts.[3][2] |
” |
| —Shelly Speir (2016) | ||
Elections
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. Shelly Speir defeated Dominique Jinhong in the Pierce Superior Court nonpartisan general election for Position 5.[4]
| Pierce County Superior Court, Position 5 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Shelly Speir |
62.26% | 176,432 |
| Dominique Jinhong | 37.74% | 106,950 |
| Total Votes | 283,382 | |
| Source: Washington Secretary of State, "November 8, 2016 General Election Results," accessed November 13, 2016 | ||
Selection method
For more information about judicial selection processes in each state, click here.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Ballotpedia's local judicial candidate survey, 2016, "Shelly Speir's Responses," October 21, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2016 General Election Voters Pamphlet," accessed October 24, 2016
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2016 Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed May 21, 2016
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
