Mary Kay Becker
Encyclopedia
Mary Kay Becker is a Washington state judge
on the Washington Court of Appeals
, a former paralegal
, Democratic
member of the Washington House of Representatives
and newspaper
editor
.
, and grew up at her family's ocean resort at Kalaloch
. She is a graduate of Lake Quinault High School, and earned her undergraduate degree from Stanford University
in 1966. After moving to Bellingham in 1969, Becker began her career as a paralegal for Northwest Washington Legal Services. She served as an early editor of the underground newspaper Northwest Passage
. From 1975 to 1983, she served as a Democratic state representative for the 42nd district. Described at the time as "one of the most articulate voices in the Legislature", "one of the bright lights of the state Democratic party" and "an unequivocal liberal", she chose not to run for re-election in 1982.
and worked as a private practice lawyer until 1994, when she was appointed to the Court of Appeals. She has also worked as a member of the Whatcom County
Council
(1984–85) and on the Western Washington University
board of trustees (1989–1994).
by voters in 2000 and 2006 and her current term ends in 2012. In 2004 she was an unsuccessful candidate for state Supreme Court
., losing by 1,086,319 votes (47.97%) to rival Jim Johnson's 1,178,194 (52.03%).
, with her husband, fellow lawyer Bill Johnston. They have two children, Joe and Maureen.
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
on the Washington Court of Appeals
Washington Court of Appeals
The Washington Court of Appeals is the intermediate level appellate court for the state of Washington.The court is divided into three divisions. Division I is based in Seattle, Division II is based in Tacoma, and Division III is based in Spokane....
, a former paralegal
Paralegal
Paralegal is used in most jurisdictions to describe a paraprofessional who assists qualified lawyers in their legal work. This is true in the United States and many other countries. However, in Ontario, Canada, paralegals are licensed by the Law Society of Upper Canada, giving paralegals an...
, Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Washington House of Representatives
Washington House of Representatives
The Washington House of Representatives is the lower house of the Washington State Legislature, the legislature of the U.S. State of Washington. It is composed of 98 Representatives from 49 districts, each of which elects two members. All members of the House are elected to a two-year term without...
and newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
editor
Editor
The term editor may refer to:As a person who does editing:* Editor in chief, having final responsibility for a publication's operations and policies* Copy editing, making formatting changes and other improvements to text...
.
Background and early career
Becker was born in Aberdeen, WashingtonAberdeen, Washington
Aberdeen is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States, founded by Samuel Benn in 1884. Aberdeen was incorporated on May 12, 1890. The city is the economic center of Grays Harbor County, bordering the cities of Hoquiam and Cosmopolis...
, and grew up at her family's ocean resort at Kalaloch
Kalaloch, Washington
Kalaloch is an unincorporated community in western Jefferson County, Washington, United States. The community is a resort on the bluffs just off of Highway 101 on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington overlooking the Pacific Ocean. A number of log cabins provide accommodations, as does the Kalaloch...
. She is a graduate of Lake Quinault High School, and earned her undergraduate degree from Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
in 1966. After moving to Bellingham in 1969, Becker began her career as a paralegal for Northwest Washington Legal Services. She served as an early editor of the underground newspaper Northwest Passage
Northwest Passage (newspaper)
The Northwest Passage was a bi-weekly underground newspaper in Bellingham, Washington, which was published from March 17, 1969 to June 1986. The paper was co-founded by three men: Frank Kathman, who took the role of Publisher; Laurence Kee, as Managing Editor; and Michael Carlson , as Art Director...
. From 1975 to 1983, she served as a Democratic state representative for the 42nd district. Described at the time as "one of the most articulate voices in the Legislature", "one of the bright lights of the state Democratic party" and "an unequivocal liberal", she chose not to run for re-election in 1982.
Legal career
She earned her law degree in 1982 from the University of Washington School of LawUniversity of Washington School of Law
The University of Washington School of Law is the law school of the University of Washington, located on the northwest corner of the main campus in Seattle, Washington.The most recent 2012 U.S...
and worked as a private practice lawyer until 1994, when she was appointed to the Court of Appeals. She has also worked as a member of the Whatcom County
Whatcom County, Washington
Whatcom County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. Its name ultimately derives from the Lummi word Xwotʼqom, meaning "noisy water." As of 2010, the population was 201,140. The county seat is at Bellingham, which is also the county's largest city...
Council
County council
A county council is the elected administrative body governing an area known as a county. This term has slightly different meanings in different countries.-United Kingdom:...
(1984–85) and on the Western Washington University
Western Washington University
Western Washington University is one of six state-funded, four-year universities of higher education in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located in Bellingham and offers bachelor's and master's degrees.-History:...
board of trustees (1989–1994).
Judgeship
She was elected to the Court of Appeals position in 1994. She was retainedRetention election
A judicial retention election is a periodic process whereby a judge is subject to a referendum held at the same time as a general election...
by voters in 2000 and 2006 and her current term ends in 2012. In 2004 she was an unsuccessful candidate for state Supreme Court
Washington Supreme Court
The Washington Supreme Court is the highest court in the judiciary of the U.S. state of Washington. The Court is composed of a Chief Justice and eight Justices. of the Court are elected to six-year terms...
., losing by 1,086,319 votes (47.97%) to rival Jim Johnson's 1,178,194 (52.03%).
Family life
Becker resides in Bellingham, WashingtonBellingham, Washington
Bellingham is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the twelfth-largest city in the state. Situated on Bellingham Bay, Bellingham is protected by Lummi Island, Portage Island, and the Lummi Peninsula, and opens onto the Strait of Georgia...
, with her husband, fellow lawyer Bill Johnston. They have two children, Joe and Maureen.