Archived Version: August 7, 2012
An information resource for Washington voters
Fran Chmelewski
Kittitas County Superior Court
Position One
Legal/Judicial Experience: Kittitas County Superior Court Judge (since December 2011); Special Assistant Attorney General (eight years); Ellensburg City Prosecutor (twelve years); Private law practice (five years); Assistant Attorney General (two years); Seattle Assistant City Prosecutor (two years)
Other Professional Experience: Central Washington University -- Adjunct Professor (Family Law)
Education: Tufts University, B.A. (1983); University of Puget Sound Law School, J.D. (1989); Judicial College (2012)
Community Service: Ellensburg High School Business Education Advisory Committee; Ellensburg School District volunteer (senior project judge, civics project judge and mock trials); Prior board member -- Kittitas County Volunteer Lawyer Services, United Way Allocations Committee, Kittitas Valley Community Hospital Ethics Committee, Child Advocacy Council
Statement: Superior Court Judge Fran Chmelewski brings 22 years of civil and criminal courtroom experience to the bench. Fran served as a prosecutor for 14 years, and as a felony criminal defense attorney for five years. She has argued and tried hundreds of motions, jury and bench trials, and appeals. As an attorney and judge, she has litigated or presided over cases involving family law, dependency law, juvenile law, criminal law, and civil matters including contract disputes and landlord/tenant claims.
Fran and her husband have lived in Ellensburg since 1991 and have enjoyed raising their son in the Kittitas Valley. Fran has dedicated her time to several community organizations, most notably helping to create in 1994 a volunteer lawyer service for indigent clients in Kittitas County.
Fran demonstrates integrity, fairness and common sense both professionally and personally. As an attorney, Fran acquired the respect of colleagues, opposing litigants and judges. As judge, she has likewise earned the support and endorsements of judicial colleagues throughout the state. Fran recognizes that serving as superior court judge is one of the greatest honors a lawyer can achieve. She values this opportunity and will continue to work hard for Kittitas County as Superior Court Judge.
| ORGANIZATION |
FRAN CHMELEWSKI |
JIM DENISON |
PAUL SANDER |
|
Joint Asian Judicial Evaluation Committee |
* | Well Qualified | * |
|
Latina/o Bar Ass'n of Washington |
* | Well Qualified | * |
|
Q-Law: The GLBT Bar Association of Washington |
* | Well Qualified | * |
|
Washington Women Lawyers |
Well Qualified | 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. We do not have ratings from all organizations for all candidates, 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. Again, please check the organizations' pages for further details.
Finance report:
| CANDIDATE | UPDATED | CONTRIBUTIONS | EXPENDITURES |
| Fran Chmelewski | 7/4/2012 |
$8,382.69 Personal Funds $2,957.69 |
$3,687.54 |
| Jim Denison | 7/4/2012 |
$23,114.12 Personal Funds $1,855.59 |
$15,105.99 |
| Paul Sander | 7/4/2012 |
$12,818.72 Personal Funds $2,056.82 |
$6,764.47 |
| July 19, 2012 | ||
| Ellensburg Daily Record | Kittitas County judge hopefuls debate experience | |
| July 17, 2012 | ||
| Ellensburg Daily Record | Three vie for Superior Court judge seat | |
| July 14, 2012 | ||
| Ellensburg Daily Record | Kittitas County judge candidates debate public defender system |
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