Mike Nelson

Spokane County District Court

Position Six

Mike Nelson EDUCATION: Westminster College, Salt Lake City, UT, B.S. Bus. Admin./Economics 1980 Gonzaga School of Law, Spokane, WA, J.D. cum laude, 1983
OCCUPATION: Attorney at Law, general practitioner
EMPLOYER: Johnson Law Group Iron Mountain Building 804 W. Boone Avenue Spokane, WA 99201-2502
LEGAL/JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE: Since my admission to the bar, I've been a civil litigator for 18 years after having prosecuted for five years. I am licensed in Washington, Idaho, Montana, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. My public service record includes the U.S. Army (1969-1972), police officer (1975-1980), including undercover narcotics, traffic and SWAT.
OPTIONAL INFORMATION: My wife Lisa and I are volunteer firefighter/EMT's, and I teach law part-time at the Spokane Police Academy and Spokane Fire District #4. I've been married for 27 years, have four children and reside in Mead.

Candidate Statement: I have practiced law in Spokane County longer than any of my opponents; both trial work and appeals. My life experience primarily involved public safety, from soldier to police officer to firefighter. I believe justice is never a given but a process requiring diligence and hard work. Everything I've done, from washing dishes to arguing in the Washington Supreme Court, has prepared me for the bench. My supporters include friends, opposing lawyers, judges and business owners who know me to be fair and knowledgeable, but firm. See www.willworkforjustice.com.

[Spanish Translation (PDF; includes all primary candidates)]

Questionnaire: Received by Spokane County Bar Association

Official web site: www.willworkforjustice.com

Opponent: Debra Hayes

Candidate ratings (click organization for details):

ORGANIZATION	DEBRA HAYES	MIKE NELSON
Spokane County Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Panel	Well Qualified	Well Qualified
Washington Women Lawyers	Well Qualified	Qualified

Important note! Each of these organizations uses its own standards and rating terms when evaluating candidates; please check their pages for further information. Candidates with an asterisk (*) were not rated, and the reasons they are not included vary. Some were not offered an opportunity to participate; others may have declined. Again, please check the organizations' pages for further details.

Spokane County Bar Association Member Poll - Position 6

	Legal Ability	Judicial Temperament	Integrity	Relevant Legal Experience
Debra Hayes
Rating	2.15	2.01	2.34	2.27
Responding	215	200	195	218
Can't Rate	40	55	60	37
Mike Nelson
Rating	3.24	3.26	3.41	3.20
Responding	225	218	212	224
Can't Rate	30	37	43	31

Ratings key: 1=Not qualified; 2=Qualified; 3=Well Qualified; 4=Exceptionally Well Qualified.

Newspaper endorsements (click paper for details):

NEWSPAPER	DEBRA HAYES	MIKE NELSON
Spokesman-Review

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