Clark County chief civil deputy prosecutor tapped for Superior Court seat

Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday appointed Clark County Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor Emily Sheldrick to the Superior Court bench. She will fill a new judicial seat that the state Legislature recently approved.

Sheldrick has served as a deputy prosecutor in the county’s civil division since 2014; she has held the position of chief civil deputy since January 2018. In that role she advises the Clark County Council and other county officials, representing the county in litigation, labor arbitrations and other hearings, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

Before joining the prosecutor’s office, she worked in private practice advising and litigating employment and business matters in Vancouver starting in 2000, the news release says.

“Throughout her career in private practice and now as a public servant, Emily has earned the respect of her peers and community,” Inslee said in the news release. “I expect her to do the same in this new judicial seat.”

Sheldrick has volunteered as a YMCA Mock Trial Team coach at Columbia River High School since 2013. She is also active with the local chapter of Washington Women Lawyers and has served in various leadership roles.

She earned her law degree at the University of Washington School of Law and bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University.

Superior Court Administrator Jessica Gurley said a date for Sheldrick’s swearing-in has not yet been set, but she is anticipated to start in mid-January.

Applications for a judicial vacancy created by Superior Court Judge Bernard Veljacic’s appointment to the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II are due Dec. 16 to the governor’s office. More information can be found at www.governor.wa.gov/office-governor/official-actions/judicial-appointments.