Federal Judge Vacancy

The White House and Washington state's two U.S. senators have formed a bipartisan, merit-based screening committee to assist them in their duties to find a replacement for Federal District Judge John C. Coughenour, who will be retiring to senior status. Judge Coughenour's successor will join the other judges serving in the Western District of Washington in the Seattle Federal Courthouse.

The committee will review applications, conduct interviews, and recommend to the White House and Senators Murray and Cantwell no more than three candidates for their consideration.

Anyone interested in applying for this position should submit a letter of application postmarked by June 22, 2006, to:

Federal Judicial Merit Screening Committee
Attn: Mr. John Wolfe
Wolfe Leinbach
701 Fifth Ave., Ste. 1500
Seattle, WA 98104

The letter should contain the following information:

• Bar memberships and dates of admission
• Educational background
• Employment history since admission to the Bar
• Names and telephone numbers of both co-counsel and opposing counsel during the last 10 years
• Names and addresses of professional references (please provide at least three)
• Names and address of personal references (please provide at least three)
• Identification of any formal bar proceedings or malpractice actions filed against the applicant since admission to practice, a summary of the nature of the allegation, and manner in which the action was concluded
• A personal statement by the applicant explaining why he or she is qualified for, and interested in, an appointment to the federal bench

Committee members:

Jenny A. Durkan
Co-chair
Seattle
206-447-5345
jdurkan@durkan.us

J. Vander Stoep
Co-chair
Chehalis
360-748-9281
jv@vanderstoep.com

Helen Howell
Federal Way
206-398-4115
howellh@seattleu.edu

Dick Derham
Seattle
206-284-3577
dickderham@cs.com

Craig H. Allen
Seattle
206-616-8302
challen@u.washington.edu

John Wolfe
Seattle
206-467-9088
jwolfe@johnwwolfelaw.com