Governor Gregoire Friday named Tacoma attorney Susan Keers Serko to Pierce County’s Superior Court bench. She replaces Judge Bruce Cohoe who will retire from the bench effective Jan. 3.

“Judge Cohoe has served this Court with distinction for the past eighteen years,” said Governor Gregoire. A founding member of the Washington State Drug Court Association, he was awarded the Pierce County Bar Association’s Humanitarian Award in 2003. “Susan Keers Serko is an exceptional lawyer in every regard. She has the deepest respect of her peers, clients, former law partners, and judges before whom she has appeared,” said Governor Gregoire.

Ms. Serko has served Washington State as an Administrative Law Judge since 2001, conducting hearings involving public assistance, child support, licensing, and Labor and Industries registration issues. She has extensive experience as a mediator/arbitrator. Between 2000 and 2001, she served as Judge Pro Tempore for the Pierce County Superior Court. Prior to maintaining a solo practice, she was the Managing Partner in the law firm of the Rush, Hannula and Harkins, LLP. Her practice included civil litigation, insurance defense and family law.

Active in several community organizations, she has served as a pro bono attorney for people living with AIDS in King and Pierce counties. Ms. Serko attended the University of Puget Sound School of Law (now Seattle University College of Law), and has been a member of the Washington State Bar Association since 1982. Married to Peter Serko for 26 years, she has three children attending high school or college in Washington State.