Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced she will appoint Gary Johnson to the Pierce County Superior Court. Johnson is currently president and senior partner at the law offices of Kram, Johnson, Wooster & McLaughlin in Tacoma. Johnson replaces Judge Gary Steiner, who retired Feb. 1.

Johnson joined Kram, Johnson, Wooster & McLaughlin in 1987, where his practice has been a mix of appeals, estate planning and probate, construction and contract law, along with commercial and real estate civil litigation. He also served as a contract city prosecutor for the city of Gig Harbor and handled matters that came before the municipal court, including DUIs, domestic violence charges and gross misdemeanor assaults.

Prior to his current position, Johnson served as pro tem judge for Kitsap County District Court and the Port Orchard Municipal Court. He has also handled a few cases as a pro tem judge for the Pierce County Superior Court.

Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Puget Sound. He later earned his law degree with honors from the UPS Law School in 1982, where he later served as adjunct professor.