Published: Thursday, September 22, 2005

Three file for open appeals court seat

By Jim Haley
Herald Writer

Three prominent Snohomish County attorneys Wednesday filed for a newly vacated position on the state Court of Appeals.

They include a sitting Superior Court judge, a veteran deputy prosecutor and a partner in Everett's largest law firm.

Seeking the post are Judge Steve Dwyer, deputy prosecutor Seth Fine and J. Robert Leach, with the Anderson Hunter law firm.

At least those three will face off on the Nov. 8 ballot in a winner-take-all election.

The vacancy was created by the unexpected death last week of longtime Appeals Court Judge Faye Kennedy of Everett.

A special fining period closes at 5 p.m. Friday.

They are seeking a seat on Division 1 of the appeals court, a job that pays nearly $140,000 a year. Wednesday was the first day of the filing period. Only Snohomish County attorneys are eligible for the post, among two District 2 positions allotted the county on the court.

The Court of Appeals handles the bulk of challenges from Superior Court decisions.

Former Gov. Gary Locke appointed Dwyer to Superior Court about two years ago, elevating him from a seat on county's District Court in Lynnwood. He spent 11 years on the Edmonds City Council, and nine years on the District Court bench.

"This is my dream job," said Dwyer, who told Locke that he aspired to the appeals court and would someday seek it.

"If I obtain this position, this will be the last job I will ever have, subject to the will of the people," he said.

Fine has spent 24 years practicing appellate law, two as a staff attorney with the state Supreme Court and 22 with the county prosecutor's office.

"I've practiced appellate law from the inside as well as the outside," Fine said. "My qualifications are exactly suited to what this position involves."

Leach said this a bittersweet opportunity because of Kennedy's loss. He's had a civil litigation practice in the county for 29 years, and this is "a rare opportunity for me to give back to the judicial system in which I've worked."

"I would use my knowledge and experience that I've gained over that time to help make the law," he said.