General Election: November 2, 2010
An information resource for Washington voters
John O'Brien
King County District Court
Northeast Division, Position Six
Occupation: Managing Partner, O’Brien, Barton, Joe & Hopkins, Issaquah Law Firm
Education: Seattle Prep High School - Gonzaga University - Seattle University Law School Juris Doctor, 1981
Community Service: Past President and 22 year member of the Issaquah Rotary Club; Past President and 8 year board member of the Issaquah Grange; Past Issaquah Chamber of Commerce Board Member, Chair of its Government Affairs Committee; Eastside Montessori School Foundation Board Member; Issaquah School Board Bond Feasibility Committee member 1 year; Salmon Days Volunteer for over 19 years; Founding Co-Chair of Lake Sammamish’s community festival, Tastin’ N’ Racin’.
Judicial Experience: King County Superior Court Arbitrator for 23 years; King County Judge Pro-Tem for 15 years; Eastside Narcotics Task Force Hearing Examiner for 3 years.
Statement: John O’Brien brings balanced, independent judgment to the King County District Court bench. As a trial attorney, he has represented individuals and families for 29 years. John O’Brien has served as prosecuting attorney for the cities of Medina, Hunts Point, Duvall and Carnation. His judicial experience includes 15 years as District Court Judge Pro Tempore, 23 years as King County Superior Court Arbitrator, and Hearing Examiner for the Eastside Narcotics Task Force, adjudicating the right of the government to seize assets used in the commission of drug crimes.
John O’Brien’s outstanding record of community leadership includes past president and 22 year member of Rotary, Chamber of Commerce Director, Issaquah Grange President, a dependable volunteer for Issaquah Salmon Days and co-founder of the Lake Sammamish community festival, Tastin’ N Racin’.
O’Brien endorses the philosophy that the District Court upholds the current law. It holds individuals accountable for their actions. He has seen the glow of pride in a defendant who has successfully completed a probationary counseling program, but has also sentenced defendants to maximum confinement for failed efforts at personal reform.
John and his wife, Mary, reside in Sammamish. They have raised three children, Sean, Michael and Jamie.
John O’Brien will bring leadership, intelligence, integrity and impartiality to the District court.
| Questionnaire responses: |
For Municipal League of King County For King County Democrats |
| ORGANIZATION |
MICHAEL FINKLE |
JOHN O'BRIEN |
| King County Bar Association |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
| Municipal League of King County | Good | Very Good |
|
Joint Asian Judicial Evaluations Committee |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
* |
|
Latina/o Bar Association of Washington |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
* |
| Loren Miller Bar Association |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
* |
|
QLaw: The GLBT Bar Association of Washington |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
* |
| Washington Women Lawyers |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
* |
Important note! Each of these organizations uses its own standards and rating terms when evaluating candidates; please check their pages for further information. We do not have ratings for candidates with an asterisk (*), and the reasons vary. Some evaluations may still be in process, or we might not have received them yet; some candidates may not have been offered an opportunity to participate, or they may have declined to participate.
Newspaper endorsements (click paper for details):
| NEWSPAPER |
MICHAEL FINKLE |
JOHN O'BRIEN |
| Issaquah Press |
 |
Finance report:
(Click a dollar figure for detailed information.)
| CANDIDATE | REPORT DATE | CONTRIBUTIONS | EXPENDITURES |
| Michael Finkle | 9/29/2010 |
$24,580.24 Personal Funds $8,650.00 Loans $7,900.00 |
$9,277.20 |
| John O'Brien | 9/29/2010 |
$28,295.67 Personal Funds $800.00 Loans $4,700.00 |
$12,495.61 |
| October 12, 2010 | ||
| Issaquah Press | Judicial candidates face tough caseload | |
| July 6, 2010 | ||
| Issaquah Press | Issaquah attorney enters race for judge |
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