Clark County Superior Court Judge John Nichols has formally announced his retirement after 20 years on the bench.
“It has been the highest honor and privilege to serve the people of Clark County and the state of Washington as their judge for the past 20 years,” Nichols wrote in a letter Friday to Gov. Jay Inslee.
“However, I feel this is an appropriate time to move on to a new venture and pass this opportunity to a worthy successor,” he added.
His resignation is effective Jan. 15.
Nichols has been vocal about his plans to retire, and many in Clark County’s legal community already knew he would be leaving some time soon.
Nichols wanted to give plenty of notice about his departure to the governor’s office, which will be tasked with appointing a qualified successor, said his judicial assistant, Jennifer Wolfe. Screening for a judicial appointment can be time-consuming, and there has been turnover in three of the 10 seats on Clark County Superior Court bench in less than two years.
Nichols, 64, will turn 65 this month.
He was elected to Clark County District Court in November 1994 and then appointed to Superior Court in May 1997 by former Gov. Gary Locke. He was then elected to retain the position five times.
“The challenges and responsibilities of this office have been daunting at times, but I have comfort in the many positive aspects of my service, especially working in the Drug Court program and the Judicial College,” Nichols wrote.
“I have cherished my association with my fellow Clark County judges and the legal community who have always shown their respect, patience and, I hope, enjoyment in enduring my eccentricities, including excessive reference to trivia and my preference to slightly prolonged written opinions,” Nichols wrote.
Nichols also often employs humor during his rulings and commentary and frequently dishes out upbeat fatherly advice to criminal defendants.
