James Smith and Todd George invited for second interviews for Department 3 seat

The Clark County Council this week appointed Commissioner Abigail Bartlett to serve as District Court Judge in Department 6. Bartlett will fill the position previously held by Judge John P. Hagensen who retired on June 30, 2021.

Bartlett will have to run for election in 2022 in order to keep the seat. District Court judges serve four-year terms. All Clark County District Court judge positions will be up for election in 2022.

The council had received several applications for the open seats in Department 6 and Department 3. Councilors selected four individuals for interviews held on July 20: Abigail Bartlett, James Smith, Todd George and Lisa Toth.

The council invited Smith and George back for second interviews for the Department 3 seat vacated by Judge Darvin Zimmerman’s retirement on June 30. The virtual interviews are scheduled for noon Monday, July 26 and will be open to the public. To listen to the interviews on WebEx dial (408) 418-9388 and use the access code 1463 01 6262.

Abigail Bartlett has served as Clark County District Court Commissioner since her appointment in July 2017. Prior to that she was a Senior Deputy Prosecutor for the county’s Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. In that position, Bartlett served as Team Leader for the Juvenile Unit and later as the Unit Coordinator for the Elder Justice Center. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in international studies from the University of Washington and a Juris Doctor from Seattle University.

All councilors thanked those who applied and noted that all the applicants were very well qualified.

“This was an impressive list of candidates,” said County Chair Eileen Quiring O’Brien. “It was a pleasure to listen to everyone; we are in good hands.”

More information about District Court is on the county’s website at https://clark.wa.gov/district-court.

CONTACT:
Amber Emery, Administrator, District Court
564.397-2424, amber.emery@clark.wa.gov