Washington State Governor Jay Inslee announced this week he will appoint attorney Michael Schwartz to serve on the Pierce County Superior Court bench.

Schwartz, who has operated his own private law firm since 1999, is a criminal justice attorney who has handled felony and civil litigation cases in both state and federal courts. Prior to his legal career, Schwartz served in the 25th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army between 1981 and 1984, where he was stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. He transitioned from military to police work in 1984, and served as an officer with the Honolulu Police Department until 1989.

Schwartz has lectured on forensic evidence, trial tactics, and police procedures, and was the president of the Robert J. Bryan Inns of Court from 2012 to 2013. He is currently president of the Greater Puget Sound Youth Football League. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Finance from the University of Hawaii in 1988, and a law degree from Seattle University in 1992.

“Michael has an unwavering dedication to public service, as proven by his distinguished career in our nation’s military and police forces,” said Gov. Inslee. “He exemplifies the kind of professionalism and determination that is so highly valued by the public and needed in our justice system, and I have no doubts as to the high quality of service he will bring to the bench.”

Schwartz will fill Judge Thomas P. Larkin’s position on the Pierce County Superior Court bench. In June, Pierce County officials announced Judge Larkin would retire at the end of July (see “Pierce County Judge Larkin to retire July 31,” Tacoma Daily Index, June 1, 2015).