Candidates on the ballot for county district judge seat

By Brad Shannon | The Olympian • Published July 11, 2008

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These 12 candidates have filed for a vacant Thurston County District Court judge seat. The vacancy was created in late June when Judge C.L. "Kip" Stilz died.

•Bill Gilbert of Olympia: In private practice since 1993, he previously worked as a Thurston County deputy prosecutor. Gilbert's general law practice included criminal defense work. He cited pro tem judicial work in Grays Harbor County, in Thurston County's superior and district courts and in mental-illness commitment hearings.

•Greg Rosen of Olympia: An assistant attorney general in the criminal-justice division, Rosen also has worked as a county deputy prosecutor. He cited his work the past 12 years as judge pro tem in district court and in Olympia Municipal Court and said he is an arbitrator for superior court.

•Sans Gilmore of Olympia: A private practice attorney for 15 years, Gilmore has specialized in family law, real-estate law and debtor-creditor issues. He said he worked as pro tem judge for the Thurston County District Court for two years and is a certified guardian ad litem. Gilmore also is a sergeant major in the Army Reserve and has aided low-income families through the Thurston County Volunteer Legal Clinic.

•Sam Meyer of Olympia: A defense lawyer with the Thurston County Office of Assigned Counsel who formerly had a private practice from 1996 to 2004. He reports an early endorsement from Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry Alexander, for whom he once served as a law clerk, and Justice Mary Fairhurst. He cited work as judge pro tem in district court and in the Olympia and Yelm municipal courts.

•Laura Murphy of Olympia: A private practice lawyer specializing in criminal and family law for two years, Murphy previously worked as a deputy prosecutor in Thurston and Pierce counties. The Olympia native and graduate of Seattle University Law School said she has worked as a judge pro tem in district court for two years and serves on the board of the South Puget Sound Community College foundation.