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Assistant Attorney General, Pro-Tem Commissioner, and Industrial Insurance Appeals Judge Enters Campaign with Support from over 15 Judicial Officers
Andrea S. Jarmon, who currently serves as an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) with the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, has announced that she is running to serve on the Southwest Division of King County District Court. Promoting the values of courage, integrity, and compassion, Jarmon says she hopes to bring a much-needed diversity of perspective based upon her wide legal experience and unique life story. Jarmon is running in Position 2, currently held by Judge Susan Mahoney.
“I believe that each individual who comes before the bench should be treated with respect; provided with a meaningful opportunity to be heard; and has the right to have their cases determined with a fair unbiased application of the law,” said Jarmon. “My journey from the shelter of United Indian’s Labateyah for homeless youth to law school, and later as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and superior court pro tem commissioner have all been steps of preparation for this role. I am ready to serve the communities of Southwest King County.”
ALJ Jarmon graduated from Middle College, an alternative high school located on the campus of Seattle Central Community College. As a high school student, she struggled with homelessness, domestic abuse, and the challenges of being a single mother. With the support and encouragement of a mentor, she entered into undergraduate school and the University of Washington, where upon graduation, she continued onto law school. Driven by a desire to give voice and visibility to victims of domestic violence, she began her legal career as a prosecutor with the Seattle City Attorney’s Office. Her legal career would include time as a prosecutor at the City of Auburn before she ultimately accepted a position at the Washington State Attorney General’s Office. There, she handled civil commitments in the SVP unit, complex civil and criminal Medicaid fraud cases, and cases involving the financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Prior to transitioning to her full-time judicial role, she managed a law practice focused on the representation of indigent clients in criminal matters, family law contempt hearings, and dependency and termination proceedings. Her passion and commitment to civic education was one of the motivations for her adjunct faculty roles at Green River Community College. Since 2010, she has been an annual presenter at the Washington State Youth Court Conference. Margaret Fisher, the program’s director and research professor at Seattle University School of Law, said of Jarmon that she is “organized and incredibly interactive, informative, and provides dynamic presentations dealing with the law and legal process.”
Jarmon has served in various leadership roles, among them as District 8 Representative on the Washington State Bar Association’s Board of Governors, a member of the Limited Legal Licensed Technician Board, and last year was appointed as the Chair of the Office of Public Defense’s Advisory Committee. Speaking to these various roles, Jarmon said, “I believe that each of these leadership roles has given me the opportunity to understand the needs of our legal system and how it can be improved to better serve communities.”
Washington State Supreme Court Justice Helen G. Whitener, speaking to why she has endorsed Jarmon said, “I endorse Andrea Jarmon for judge in this District Court position because she treats all who appear before her with dignity, respect and empathy. She also brings relevant lived personal and professional legal experiences needed to address today's societal ills seen in our courts. Andrea will be an excellent addition to any court!”
Jarmon also has the support of several King County District and Superior District Court judges, among them Judge Veronica Galvan of the King County Superior Court—"Compassion, commitment, intellect, and a sense of justice. These are the traits that make a good judge. Throughout her career Andrea Jarmon has embodied these traits as an attorney, and as an administrative law judge. She has dedicated her career to the service of justice and will make an excellent addition to the King County District Court bench.”
Speaking to why he has endorsed Jarmon, King County Superior Court Judge David Keenan said, “She has the “legal experience, wisdom, community perspective, and temperament to be an exceptional King County District Court judge."
Currently, Jarmon is endorsed by King County District Court Judges Rebecca Robertson, Judge Kristin Shotwell, Judge Kuljinder Dhillon, and Judge Joe Campagna. For a complete endorsement list, visit andreajarmonforjudge.com/endorsements.