Assertion from Governor Bob Ferguson on Justice Mary Yu’s upcoming retirement from the Washington Supreme Court

OLYMPIA — Governor Bob Ferguson provided the next assertion on Justice Mary Yu’s announcement that she’s going to retire from the bench on the finish of this 12 months:

“I need to thank Justice Yu for her 25 years of extraordinary service as a judicial officer, together with 12 years on the Washington Supreme Court.

“I’ve identified Justice Yu for a very long time — since we each started our public-service careers working for King County. It’s no shock to me that she ended up ascending to our state’s highest courtroom. My respect for her has solely grown through the years.

“Aside from our shared skilled historical past, Justice Yu and I’ve one thing uncommon in frequent: We’ve each been featured on the Jimmy Kimmel Show. In her case, she was invited onto the present as a result of her title — Mary Yu — was completely suited to her work. As a decide, she officiated the primary same-sex marriages in Washington after our state’s voters acknowledged these unions in 2012. Justice Yu has married many different completely satisfied {couples} in our state.

“Throughout her time on the bench, Justice Yu has demonstrated her commitment to respect, dignity and fairness for all. As the first in her family to go to college — and as the first LGBTQ+ justice, the first Asian-American justice and the first Latina-American justice on the high court — she brought her perspective to bear in seeking to make our court system more accessible, equitable and effective. She understands and appreciates the value of diverse perspectives in our state courts, and she is an excellent mentor and role model for newer attorneys. Her legacy is in bending Washington state further toward justice.”

Governor Ferguson will appoint a brand new justice to fill the upcoming emptiness on the Washington Supreme Court. He expects to make an appointment by Dec. 1 and is straight away starting a course of to pick a worthy successor to Justice Yu.