US EditionGov. Bob Ferguson Appoints Seasoned Litigator to State Supreme Court
Theo Angelis, a Seattle litigator with 25 years of experience and strong pro bono work for immigrants, will stand for election this year to complete a term through January 2029.
- On Monday, March 9, 2026, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson appointed Seattle litigator Theodore J. Angelis at the Temple of Justice in Olympia, replacing Justice Barbara Madsen, who retires April 3.
- Ferguson cited Angelis's appellate experience and pro bono work representing immigrants, highlighting their work together at K&L Gates, to explain his selection.
- An accomplished attorney, Angelis is a K&L Gates partner with appellate and intellectual-property experience and degrees from Claremont McKenna College, London School of Economics, Oxford, and Yale Law School.
- Because justices appointed to fill vacancies must stand in the November election, Angelis will face voters this year to serve the remainder of Madsen's seat, amid high turnover on the Washington Supreme Court.
- The appointment continues a trend of choosing accomplished lawyers without prior judicial experience, like Colleen Melody last year; Angelis's pro bono awards from the American Civil Liberties Union and others may influence public perception.
12 Articles
12 Articles
The Columbian
The spokesman-ReviewGov. Bob Ferguson appoints seasoned litigator to state Supreme Court
OLYMPIA — Gov. Bob Ferguson has again appointed a familiar and experienced litigator with no previous judicial experience to the state Supreme Court. Read more...
Seattle litigator appointed to Washington Supreme Court • Washington State Standard
Theo Angelis, a Seattle litigator, was appointed to the Washington Supreme Court by Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday, March 9, 2026, in Olympia. (Photo courtesy of the governor's office)Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday appointed Seattle litigator Theo Angelis to the state Supreme Court to replace outgoing Justice Barbara Madsen. Angelis, 53, comes to the high court from law firm K&L Gates, where he worked with Ferguson more than 20 years ago, …
The Center Square
Ferguson appoints Theo Angelis to Washington Supreme Court
(The Center Square) – Theo Angelis, a partner at the Seattle law firm K&L Gates, has been appointed as the next Washington Supreme Court justice by Gov. Bob Ferguson. Angelis
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