Richard A Jones

Early life and education

Born in Seattle, Washington in 1950, Jones is the son of Quincy Delightt Jones, Sr., who worked as a semi-professional baseball player and carpenter, and his second wife. He is 17 years younger than his half-brother Quincy Jones, who has become a noted musician and producer.

After attending Seattle public schools, Richard Jones received a Bachelor of Public Administration degree from Seattle University in 1972 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Washington School of Law in 1975.

Career

Jones was a Community liaison officer, Office of King County Prosecuting Attorney, Washington from 1975 to 1977. He was a Deputy prosecuting attorney of the Office of King County Prosecuting Attorney from 1977 to 1978. He was a staff attorney of the Port of Seattle from 1978 to 1983.

After being in private practice with the major law firm of Bogle & Gates in Seattle from 1983 to 1988, he became an Assistant United States Attorney of the United States Attorney's Office, Western District of Washington. He served there from 1988 to 1994.

Judicial service

Jones served as a judge on the King County Superior Court, Washington from 1994 to 2007. During this period, he presided over several high-profile cases, including the prosecution of Gary Ridgway, the notorious "Green River Killer" who was known to have killed 48 women.

Jones is a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. Jones was nominated by a bipartisan panel in Washington and by President George W. Bush on March 19, 2007, to a seat vacated by John C. Coughenour. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 4, 2007, and received his commission on October 29, 2007.

Personal

He is married to Leslie Jones, diversity program manager for Sound Transit.

Community service

Jones has been active on the board of the YMCA. He also acts as a mentor to minority youths in Seattle.

Awards and recognition