Gov. Gregoire appoints Superior Court judge for Kitsap County

For Immediate Release: March 22, 2012

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced she has appointed Kevin Hull to the Kitsap County Superior Court. Hull is currently the senior deputy prosecuting attorney and supervisor of the Special Assault Unit at the Kitsap County Prosecutor�s Office. He replaces Judge Russell W. Hartman, who retired from the bench effective February 29, 2012.

�Kevin has experience as a prosecutor, a public defender, and in the private practice of law,� Gregoire said. �He also has a strong commitment to public service and to justice that will continue as he joins the Kitsap County Superior Court.�

"It is both an honor and a privilege that Governor Gregoire would appoint me to serve on the Kitsap County Superior Court bench. It is with humility that I will seek to continue the excellent work of Judge Hartman,� Hull said. �I enthusiastically look forward to working with an outstanding group of judges, and commit to the citizens of Kitsap County that I will treat all people who come before the court with fairness and respect."
�One of the most important jobs in public service�and certainly among the hardest to do well day to day, every day�is Superior Court Judge,� Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney Russ Hauge said. �Governor Gregoire has done us all a great service with the appointment of Kevin Hull. Kevin is a dedicated public servant with a proven commitment to our community. His insight, judgment and compassion have distinguished his work as a prosecutor and will make him a great judge.�

�The Superior Court faces several challenges in the future, including the changing technology of court administration, the increase in self-represented litigants, and the budget constraints that force us to do more work with fewer resources,� Presiding Judge Anna M. Laurie said. �Mr. Hull brings with him the enthusiasm and skills to help us meet those challenges.�

Hull began his legal career with Rovang & Associates, which held a public defender contract with the City of Bremerton. He then became a deputy prosecuting attorney at the Kitsap County Prosecutor�s Office, first handling criminal misdemeanor trials and then moving to the Felony Division. In 2000 he joined the private firm of Wolfstone, Panchot & Bloch in Seattle, primarily defending companies involved in asbestos litigation. In 2003 he was appointed to the position of senior deputy prosecuting attorney and has been the supervisor of the Special Assault Unit since 2005, where he handles cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault and crimes against children.

Hull serves on the Board of Directors of the Sexual Assault Investigations and Victims� Services center. He is also vice president of the Boys and Girls Club of South Kitsap County.

Hull earned his bachelor�s degree magna cum laude from San Diego State University in political science in1991. He earned his law degree from Drake University Law School in 1994.

Gov. Gregoire today also appointed to the Kitsap County Superior Court, Steve Dixon who will replace the late Judge Theodore F. Spearman.