J. Michael Diaz (Washington)
J. Michael Diaz is a judge for District 1 of the Washington Court of Appeals Division I. He assumed office on September 1, 2022. His current term ends on January 10, 2028.
Diaz ran in a special election for the District 1 judge of the Washington Court of Appeals Division I. He won in the special general election on November 7, 2023.
Diaz was appointed to the King County Superior Court in 2018 to replace Richard F. McDermott.[1] He left the court in September 2022 after being appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee (D) to the state court of appeals to replace James Verellen.[2]
Biography
Education
Diaz received his bachelor's degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame in 1996. He was a graduate student at Princeton University in classical philosophy for two years and he earned his J.D. from Cornell University Law School in 2002.[3][4]
Career
- 2022 - Present: Judge, Washington Court of Appeals
- 2018-2022: Judge, King County Superior Court in Washington
After graduating from law school, Diaz was an associate in the Houston, Texas-based office of Fulbright and Jaworski LLP (now Norton Rose Fulbright) from 2002 to 2006. From 2006 to 2008, he worked at the Seattle, Washington-based firm of Yarmuth Wilsdon Calfo PLLC (now Yarmuth Wilsdon PLLC). Diaz served as an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington from 2008 to 2018. He also served as civil rights program coordinator for the U.S. Attorney's civil division.[3]
On April 14, 2016, Diaz was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve on the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington.[3] On January 3, 2017, Diaz's nomination was returned to President Obama at the sine die adjournment of the 114th Congress.[5]
Federal judicial nomination
Western District of Washington
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| Nominee Information |
| Name: J. Michael Diaz |
| Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Washington |
| Progress |
| Returned 264 days after nomination. |
 Nominated: April 14, 2016
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| ABA Rating: Unanimously Qualified
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| Questionnaire: Questionnaire |
 Hearing:
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| QFRs: (Hover over QFRs to read more) |
| Reported:
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| Confirmed:
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| Returned: January 3, 2017
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On April 14, 2016, Diaz was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve on the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington.[3]
President Obama commented on the nomination, stating, "I am honored to put forward these highly qualified candidates for the federal bench ... They will be distinguished public servants and valuable additions to the United States District Court."[3]
The American Bar Association rated Diaz Unanimously Qualified for the nomination.[6]
On January 3, 2017, Diaz's nomination was returned to President Obama at the sine die adjournment of the 114th Congress.[5]
Elections
2023
See also: Washington intermediate appellate court elections, 2023
General election
Special general election for Washington Court of Appeals Division I District 1
Incumbent J. Michael Diaz won election in the special general election for Washington Court of Appeals Division I District 1 on November 7, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | J. Michael Diaz (Nonpartisan) | 98.6 | 334,894 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.4 | 4,721 | ||
| Total votes: 339,615 | |||
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Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. Incumbent J. Michael Diaz advanced from the special primary for Washington Court of Appeals Division I District 1.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Diaz in this election.
2020
See also: Municipal elections in King County, Washington (2020)
General election
The general election was canceled. J. Michael Diaz (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.
2018
See also: Municipal elections in King County, Washington (2018)
General election
The general election was canceled. J. Michael Diaz (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.
Campaign themes
2023
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
J. Michael Diaz did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
J. Michael Diaz did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
See also
2023 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Washington Governor, "Inslee announces appointments to Chelan County Superior Court and King County Superior Court," December 22, 2017
- ↑ Ein News, "Inslee appoints J. Michael Diaz to the Court of Appeals, Division One," July 13, 2022
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 The White House, "President Obama nominates three to serve on the United States District Court," April 14, 2016
- ↑ Washington State Courts, "Member biography," accessed April 18, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 United States Congress, "PN 1368 — J. Michael Diaz — The Judiciary," accessed January 3, 2017
- ↑ American Bar Association, "Ratings of Article III Judicial Nominees: 114th Congress," accessed April 19, 2016
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