The Worswick family name returned to the Pierce County Superior Court bench yesterday when Gov. Gary Locke appointed Lisa Worswick, a Pierce County District Court commissioner, to fill the Department 16 vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Frederick B. Hayes.

Stanley Worswick, Lisa Worswick’s father-in-law, retired from the court in 1982 after serving 12 years.

Retired Judge Worswick and his wife, Ann, sat in the first row of County-City Building Courtroom 100 during the announcement ceremony presided over by Judge Frederick W. Fleming.

Todd M. Worswick, South Hill attorney and Lisa Worswick’s husband, watched with their children, Erica and John.

“I am profoundly honored by this appointment and your confidence in me,” Lisa Worswick said in response to the governor’s announcement.

She brings to the bench 16 years of legal experience in private practice enhanced by pro tem work in municipal and county district courts and, she noted in her comments, “a strong work ethic.”

Locke spoke of the role of judicial integrity and excellence in our society and said each judicial decision is of “monumental” importance.

For that reason he and his staff scoured the list of Department 16 nominees for someone with the intelligence, leadership, talent and wisdom to stand up to the complex, difficult demands placed on judges in 2002.

“Lisa Worswick had a great deal of support from scores of judges, elected officials and the community,” he said.

Retired Judge Worswick said his daughter-in-law had been taking steps toward a judicial career since being admitted to the bar.

“This is something she wanted. I think the bug bit her when she was a pro tem,” he said. “My experience is that you need to feel a calling to be a good judge. She has that feeling, and I think she’ll do an excellent job.”