Lack was chosen by the sitting Thurston County Superior Court bench from a pool of about 20 candidates who were interviewed in January, Thurston County Superior Court Administrator Marti Maxwell said. Lack fills the vacant position that was created when Schaller was elected Thurston County Superior Court Judge last year. Schaller began hearing cases as Thurston County Superior Court Judge in January.
Lack, 42, has served as a standing master and magistrate judge in Anchorage since 2007, according to his resume. During a phone interview Friday, Lack said in his current job as a standing master, he performs the same job duties as a Thurston County Court Commissioner, hearing juvenile criminal cases and family law cases, including divorces and child custody disputes.
He also serves as a magistrate judge in Alaska’s Third Judicial District, which includes Anchorage. As a magistrate judge, he said he signs search warrants, hears small claims cases, as well as domestic violence protection order hearings. He also performs duties as a night court magistrate in Anchorage. He said he was appointed to the position by the bench in Alaska’s Third Judicial District in 2007.
Lack was admitted as a member of the Washington State Bar in 2008, when he was a member of an Alaska law firm whose clients had business in Washington state, he said. Lack is a graduate of George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He holds a law degree from the University of Richmond in Virginia.
Lack’s prior experience includes jobs in state, and national politics. From 1988 to 1993, he was a staff assistant with the U.S. Senate, and his duties included working as minority staff assistant to the Committee on Rules and Administration. He also worked as a legislative correspondent for former U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, R-AK, during that time. He served as a Deputy Majority Counsel to the U.S. Senate from 1995 to 1997.
In Alaska, Lack has worked at several law firms and in private practice. He also served as chief of staff for the Alaska State Legislature from January 1999 to October 2000.
Lack said he has wanted to move to Washington state for some time, and that he looks forward to hiking and fishing in western Washington. He said he applied for the job here after seeing the vacancy posted on the Washington State Bar Association’s website.
Jeremy Pawloski: 360-754-5445 jpawloski@theolympian.com
