Barbara Madsen
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Barbara A. Madsen is the chief justice on the Washington Supreme Court. She is only the third woman to be elected to a seat on the bench of the Supreme Court since the formation of the Court in 1889, and only the second woman to serve as chief justice. [1] Madsen was first elected in 1992, re-elected in 1998, and re-elected for a third term on September 14, 2004.[2] Her term expires in 2010.
On January 11, 2010 Madsen was sworn in as chief justice of the court, replacing Gerry Alexander. [3][4][5]
Legal education
A native of Renton, Justice Madsen received her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in 1974 and earned her J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1977.
Legal experience
Upon graduation from law school, Justice Madsen worked as a public defender. In 1982, she became staff attorney of the Seattle City Attorney’s Office, and two years after, she was appointed Special Prosecutor in 1984. In 1988, Justice Madsen was appointed to the Seattle Municipal Court.
Awards and associations
Awards
In 1993, Justice Barbara Madsen received the first Myra Bradwell Award from Gonzaga University School of Law, in 1998, she was recognized as a "Very Important Woman" by the Thurston County Women’s Symposium, received the Washington Women Lawyers Vanguard Award twice, in 1998 and 2002, in 1999 received the Department of the Army Certificate of Achievement, in 2001 the Washington Women Lawyers Foundation Award, in 2002, received the National Association of Women Judges Special Presidents Award, in 2003, received the Seattle University School of Law Woman of the Year, in 2004 Justice Madsen received the Equal Justice Coalition Judicial Award and the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association Certificate of Appreciation for Contribution to Legal Education, and finally, in 2006, received the Access to Justice Award of Distinction for Public Service.
Associations
Justice Madsen serves as chairman of the Washington State Gender and Justice Commission, the Supreme Court Personnel Committee, the court’s Internal Rules Committee and serves on the Budget Committee, Administrative Committee, and the Washington Court Reports Commission, and serves on the Board for Judicial Administration. Justice Madsen is a member of the American Judges Association, the National Association of Women Judges, and the Judicature Society.
Campaign contributions
In the 2004 election, Barbara Madsen raised $46,491. The top three industries are Real Estate, with $6,000, Home Builders, with $5,000, and Civil Servants/Public Officials with $4,835.[6] For a complete summary, visit Follow the Money: Barbara Madsen 2004.
Notable rulings
A brief list of Madsen's rulings can be found at the Supreme Court of Washington blog.
Court rules police can pose as lawyers
The Washington Supreme Court ruled in May 2007 that although the police committed a crime by impersonating attorneys, and therefore obtaining DNA evidence from a person believing he was starting an attorney-client relationship, the evidence could be used. The court determined that a person does not have a reasonable expectation of privacy when sealing an envelope. The Court made the specific statement that "We find there is no absolute prohibition of police ruses involving detectives posing as attorneys in the state of Washington." The decision was determined by Charles Johnson, James Johnson, Bobbe Bridge, Barbara Madsen, and Susan Owens.[7]
Madsen rules in favor of traditional marriage
The Washington Supreme Court determined in a 5 to 4 decision to uphold the state's Defense of Marriage Act.[8] Six different opinions were issued in the case, and some stated that the legislature could extend the right of marriage to gay and lesbian couples. The Washington Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the state’s 1998 Defense of Marriage Act became even more socially significant when Judge Madsen, publicly questioned the proof for homosexuality as an immutable trait. "Laws challenged on the basis of race or sex discrimination are generally subjected to more searching review," stated Justice Madsen.[9]
External links
- Washington Courts: Barbara Madsen
- Public Disclosures: Contributions
- Follow the Money: Barbara Madsen
- NNBD
- Washington Court Upholds Ban on Gay Marriage
- The Washington Supreme Court blog, an unofficial blog that covers the Washington State Supreme Court and its justices
- Podcast covering noteworthy opinions of Justice Madsen
References
- ↑ The Olympian "New chief justice speaks for equal access to courts", January 12, 2010
- ↑ Justice Madsen Bio from Washington Courts website
- ↑ Washington Courts Press Release "Washington Supreme Court Elects New Chief Justice", November 5, 2009
- ↑ Associated Press "Madsen chosen chief justice of Wash. Supreme Court", November 5, 2009
- ↑ Associated Press "New chief justice of Wash. Supreme Court sworn in", January 11, 2010
- ↑ Follow the Money: Barbara Madsen
- ↑ Washington Pro Se Litigant's Association
- ↑ New York Times
- ↑ Exodus.com
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