I grew up in small-town Eastern Washington where both of my parents were public school teachers. I attended Whitworth University in Spokane on a music scholarship, ultimately earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. I then obtained a JD from the University of Washington School of Law.

After law school I clerked for a judge at the Washington State Court of Appeals in Seattle for two years before being hired as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Snohomish County. Over the course of my 21-year career in the Prosecutor’s Office I conducted nearly 100 felony jury trials in cases ranging from aggravated murder to financial fraud, and from sexual exploitation of children to drug trafficking. Some of my more notable trial experiences included obtaining one of the first convictions in Washington for unsafe storage of a firearm by a parent, and the first ever conviction in a cold case solved through the use of forensic genetic genealogy. In addition to my work as a trial deputy, I spent several years as the supervisor of the Special Assault Unit located at Dawson Place Child Advocacy Center and I served as the Chief of the Criminal Division for two elected Prosecuting Attorneys before being appointed to the South District Court bench in September of 2023.

As a trial court judge, I often encounter people in some of their worst moments—when they’re scared, angry, anxious, traumatized, or overwhelmed. By design, most people come to court because they have a problem, and they are relying on me to solve it. I am humbled and deeply honored to hold that responsibility. By listening to people and affording them dignity and respect, exercising my discretion in ways that are at all times both consistent with the law and tailored to the individuals appearing before me, and taking the time to explain my decisions, I try to ensure that people leaving my courtroom understand what happened and feel like they were treated fairly and respectfully. At the same time, I have a deep appreciation for the role I play in keeping our community safe, and my decisions reflect that responsibility.

My wife and I have lived in south Snohomish County for more than 20 years and we are firmly rooted in that community. My wife is a teacher in the Edmonds School District, our three kids have attended Edmonds public schools, and we’ve spent hundreds of hours watching Sno-King and high school sporting events, serving on school committees, and patronizing and getting to know our local business owners.