OLYMPIA – Today Governor Bob Ferguson announced the appointment of current Cowlitz County Superior Court Commissioner Jill Karmy to the position of Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge. Karmy’s appointment, effective Nov. 1, fills the position that Judge Marilyn K. Haan’s resignation will vacate.

Karmy is a career public servant with more than two decades of legal experience as a superior court commissioner, civil attorney and prosecutor. She has served more than three years in her current role as Cowlitz County Superior Court Commissioner in Kelso, where she presides over a wide range of civil and criminal dockets.

In addition to her role as a Court Commissioner, Karmy runs a solo-practice law firm, where she has represented plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of cases and claims. She also serves as a contract prosecutor for the cities of Battle Ground, Ridgefield and La Center, handling criminal prosecution and city code enforcement matters.

“Jill Karmy has deep roots in the southwest corner of our state doing exceptional work on behalf of Washingtonians,” Governor Ferguson said. “Her expertise and passion for public service will serve Washington well on the Cowlitz County Superior Court bench.”

“It has been an honor to serve the people of Cowlitz County as an attorney and a Court Commissioner, and I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to continue that service as a full-time Judge,” Karmy said. “I am committed to upholding the rule of law with fairness, integrity and unwavering dedication to this community and our state.”

Earlier in her career, Karmy spent several years a partner at Parham, Hall & Karmy in Longview. She also served as an associate attorney at several firms in and around Portland, OR. She served on the Washington State Bar Association Board of Governors from 2014-2017, including one year as the state bar Treasurer, representing Southwest Washington’s Congressional District 3.

Karmy’s community work has included volunteerism to support incoming Afghan refugees by working with community businesses and partners to create and run a pop-up clothing and school supply shop. She has also worked with immigrant women and children to prepare them for asylum hearings in immigration court.

Outside of work, Karmy spends time skiing and snowboarding with her children as often as possible and running with or after her German Shepherds. She also recently began scuba diving certification classes.

Karmy earned her bachelor’s degree from Pacific Union College and her law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School.