FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gary Ireland, Public Information Officer,
(206) 684-8710
Gary.Ireland@seattle.gov
Seattle Municipal Court Presiding Judge Karen Donohue is the recipient of the 2016 Judge William Nevins Award for her outstanding contributions to youth and civic education. The award was presented to Judge Donohue by Retired Washington State Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry Alexander at the Washington State Fall Judicial Conference on September 12, 2016. She was nominated by Judge Ed McKenna.
Judge Donohue co-founded the Seattle Youth Traffic Court in 2012, a collaborative partnership between Seattle Municipal Court, Seattle University School of Law, Garfield High School and the Seattle Police Department. By providing Seattle youth first-hand experience with the justice system, the program promotes public understanding of the law, provides legal education and increases understanding of courts. Participants learn and apply due process, equal protection, and rule of law principles. Teen drivers learn about the consequences of their actions and ultimately increase community safety. The program holds over 80 hearings each year.
Judge Donohue is an active community volunteer, working with youth in a number of Mock Trial programs including the Seattle Academy of Arts and Science (SAAS), Pathfinder K-8, and the YMCA programs. She has presided over the Seattle University Law School Mock Motion Hearings and Mock Trials programs. Judge Donohue is a Judge with King County Kids’ Court, preparing victims and witnesses in felony matters for their day in court. She volunteers with the Pacific Science Center Crime Solvers Camp and the Holy Names Academy High School Law Class. Judge Donohue is a frequent speaker on legal careers at the University of Washington.
First elected to the Seattle Municipal Court bench in 2011, Judge Donohue is currently serving her first term as Presiding Judge. Judge Donohue is a member of a number of committees and boards including: the National Association of Women Judges (Washington State Chair, Co-chair of Education Committee, Member of Website Committee), the Washington State District and Municipal Court Judges Association (Board Member, Co-Chair Education Committee), King County Trial Court Coordinating Council (Chair), King County Bar Association Awards Committee, and the Regional Law, Safety and Justice Committee.
The Washington Judge’s Foundation presents the Judge William Nevins award annually to judges with a long-term commitment to youth education, public understanding of the law and the role of the judiciary in our society.