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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Alfredo Tryferis King County Superior Court Judge Deborah D. Fleck Receives WSBA Outstanding Judge Award
Judge Fleck, a graduate of Seattle University School of Law, has served on the King County Superior Court since 1992. She is a member of the Washington State Supreme Court's Minority and Justice Commission and chairs its Workforce Diversity subcommittee. In addition, Judge Fleck served as co-chair of the Washington State Board for Judicial Administration (BJA) with Chief Justice Alexander from 2003 to 2005 and co-chairs its Court Funding Implementation Committee. She also serves on its Public Trust and Confidence Committee which helps judges provide information to the public about the justice system. Judge Fleck's most significant contribution to Washington's legal system came as president of the Superior Court Judges' Association, where she was instrumental in establishing the Task Force on Trial Court Funding through the BJA to promote adequate and stable funding for Washington's trial courts. Legislation proposed by the task force — which has been characterized by Washington State Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry L. Alexander as the most significant reform of judicial-branch funding since statehood — received bipartisan and near unanimous support in the Legislature, which agreed to its core principles: accepting new fiscal responsibility for trial court operations, indigent defense, and parents' representation, and increasing support for civil legal aid, while assuring that existing local government funding not be decreased. Judge Fleck has received many honors for her dedication to the legal community throughout her storied career. In 1999, she was named Jurist of the Year by the WSBA's Family Law Section, and in 2000, the State Trial Lawyers Association named her Judge of the Year. She received the Vanguard Award from King County Washington Women Lawyers in 2004 and most recently, she was named the 2005 recipient of the King County Bar Association's President's Award. In nominating Judge Fleck for this award, Seattle attorney and past WSBA President M. Wayne Blair wrote, "In addition to…her dedicated work and commitment to improve the judiciary and the courts, she is also a warm and engaging person who leads not only from her head, but also from her heart." "When Judge Fleck takes on a cause, she applies herself 100 percent," wrote Federal Way attorney Laura L. Jaeger. "Judge Fleck's entire judicial career shows that she is dedicated to maintaining and improving our court system." About the WSBA As a regulatory agency, it administers the bar admission process, including the bar exam; provides record-keeping and licensing functions; and administers the lawyer-discipline system. As a professional association, the WSBA provides continuing legal education for attorneys, in addition to numerous other educational and member-service activities. The governance of the WSBA is vested in its 14-person Board of Governors. There are three governors from the seventh congressional district; one from each of the other eight districts; and three at-large members, one of whom represents the Young Lawyers Division. The 2005-2006 president is S. Brooke Taylor, of Port Angeles, and the 2005-2006 president-elect is Ellen Conedera Dial, of Seattle. The board meets regularly (every six weeks) at various locations around the state, and its meetings are open to the public. Much of the work of the Bar is carried out through 23 standing committees; 24 sections; and a Young Lawyers Division, with its many committees.
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Seattle, Washington, September 21, 2005 — The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) announced today that King County Superior Court Judge Deborah D. Fleck received its 2005 Outstanding Judge Award. The Outstanding Judge Award is presented for outstanding service to the bench and for special contribution to the legal profession at any level of the court. Judge Fleck received the award at the WSBA's Annual Awards Dinner held September 15 at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle.