Name Mary Fairhurst | ||
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Education Gonzaga University School of Law, Gonzaga University | ||
Washington Supreme Court Justice re-diagnosed with cancer
Mary E. Fairhurst (born August 1957) of Olympia, Washington has been a member of the Washington State Supreme Court since her election in 2002. She won her re-election in 2008 against Michael J. Bond. On November 4th, 2016 it was announced that Justice Fairhurst had been elected Chief Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court, effective January 9, 2017.
Justice Fairhurst earned her undergraduate degree in political science cum laude from Gonzaga University in 1979. In 1984, she earned her law degree magna cum laude from Gonzaga University School of Law. She began her legal career in the Supreme Court as a judicial clerk.
Fairhurst served in the Washington Attorney General's office under Christine Gregoire and Ken Eikenberry. Fairhurst worked on a constitutional amendment to increase the rights of crime victims. She has also organized statewide conferences on domestic violence.
Fairhurst served as the president of the Washington State Bar Association. She was the second woman and youngest attorney to hold this position. She also served on the Bar Board of Governors representing the Third Congressional District as President of the Washington Women Lawyers.