Gov. Gregoire appoints James M. Triplet to the Superior Court in Spokane County

For Immediate Release: October 25, 2010

SPOKANE- Gov. Chris Gregoire today appointed Commissioner James M. Triplet to the Superior Court of Spokane County.

�Jim will continue to bring innovation to the court,� Gregoire said. �As commissioner, he continually worked to provide understanding and accessibility to the general public regarding our court system. His passion and background will make him a strong addition to the Superior Court.�

�I would like to thank Governor Gregoire for the honor and privilege of this appointment. I am excited about this opportunity and look forward to serving the public in this new capacity.� Triplet said. �I promise to work hard, listen carefully, follow the law and do my best every day to serve the citizens of Spokane County.�

Triplet will replace the Honorable Neal Q. Rielly, who retired Aug. 29. Triplet has served as a Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner since 2004.

�Jim has a keen intellect and proven leadership qualities invaluable to a judge on the Superior Court bench,� said Spokane County Superior Court Presiding Judge Maryann Moreno. �His rulings as a Commissioner are thoughtful, fair and well reasoned. Jim will serve the public with intelligence, compassion and energy in his new position.�

As commissioner, Triplet developed Spokane�s Unified Family Court system which has increased both efficiencies and reunification rates of families. He also developed a step-by-step DVD that assists unrepresented parties in filing marriage dissolutions.

Triplet served as a bailiff for Spokane County Superior Court Judge Merryman while attending law school. He started his practice as a lawyer with the Law Office of Mary E. Schultz, then opened the Law Office of James M. Triplet where for more than ten years he had an active trial practice, focusing on family law and also representing clients in criminal, personal injury and dependency matters. Before becoming commissioner in 2004, Triplet served as pro tem commissioner for Spokane County.

Triplet is the recipient of the Washington State Bar Association Family Law Section Professional of the Year 2010 award in recognition of his contributions to establishing a model unified family law court.

Triplet earned his law degree from Gonzaga University Law School and a bachelor of arts degree in business administration from Eastern Washington University.

His appointment is effective November 1, 2010.