Inslee appoints Clark County Superior Court’s 12th judge

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday he has appointed Clark County Superior Court Commissioner Christine Hayes to be the court’s 12th judge.

Inslee praised Hayes’ wide array of legal experience, including presiding over eight dockets a week as a commissioner since 2022. In the announcement, he also pointed to her time as a city attorney and prosecutor for the city of Battle Ground. As city attorney, she advised officials on policies, risk management and other municipal functions. She also prosecuted misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors for Battle Ground, Ridgefield and La Center.

Hayes said she’s honored to have been chosen from a strong pool of applicants. She said becoming a judge has been a long-term goal of hers that sparked during her graduation from law school at Gonzaga University. She also gave credit to the support of her family.

“Excitement does not begin to cover the way I am feeling. I’m not sure it’s fully sunk in yet,” Hayes said in an email to The Columbian. “I am very much looking forward to continuing to serve my community in this role.”

The Clark County Council approved adding a 12th judge to the court with this year’s budget and, in July, approved funds for the support staff.

Presiding Superior Court Judge Derek Vanderwood previously said the position is much needed to keep up with a high number of more complex cases.

“Christine Hayes is dedicated to improving the judicial system and to her community. She is a tireless, well-respected and experienced judicial officer and lawyer, and she is well prepared to serve the Clark County community in this role,” Inslee said in a news release. “I’m pleased that she will bring her integrity, work ethic, creativity, experience and compassion to the Clark County Superior Court bench.”

Hayes is also a member of the professional organization Inns of Court, and she serves as co-chair of the Juvenile Justice Council. She said juvenile justice became a particular passion of hers as a commissioner.

Inslee chose Hayes from a slate of six applicants from the Clark County legal community. In a poll sent to members of the Clark County Bar Association, she was respondents’ fourth choice for the seat.

Hayes said she does not yet have a start date for her new position.