CONTACT:
Gary Ireland, Public Information Officer, (206) 684-8710
Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) judges have selected Honorable Ed McKenna to serve as Presiding Judge and Honorable Willie Gregory to serve as Assistant Presiding Judge, effective immediately. Judge McKenna replaces Honorable Karen Donohue who has been appointed by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee to the King County Superior Court. Judge Gregory replaces Judge McKenna who was serving his second term as Assistant Presiding Judge.
The Presiding Judge leads the management and administration of the judicial branch of Seattle City government, makes judicial assignments, sets policies and procedures to improve the court’s effectiveness, and allocates resources to maximize the court’s ability to resolve disputes fairly and expeditiously. The Presiding Judge supervises non-elected magistrates and the Court Administrator. When the Presiding Judge is unavailable, the Assistant Presiding Judge fulfills the duties of Presiding Judge. Both positions are elected to a two-year term.
“I am grateful for the support of SMC’s judges and I am excited to take on the duties and challenges of Presiding Judge. We have great responsibility to ensure justice for the Seattle community,” stated Presiding Judge McKenna. “I look forward to working with our justice system partners and stakeholders to ensure our system is innovative, effective and aligns with Seattle’s values.”
Judge McKenna’s first term on SMC’s bench began in January 2011 and he is currently serving his second, four-year term. He has presided over Mental Health Court, Domestic Violence Court, and general trial courts. A graduate of the University of Washington and Seattle University School of Law, Judge McKenna’s legal background includes more than 20 years as a Senior Prosecutor with the Seattle City Attorney’s Office. Outside the court, he volunteers to assist low-income homeowners to improve the health and safety of their homes.
Judge Gregory’s first term on SMC’s bench began in January 2011 and he is currently serving his second, four-year term. He has presided over Veterans Treatment Court, general trial courts, Community Court and Mental Health Court. Judge Gregory is the Chair of the District and Municipal Court Judges’ Association Diversity Committee. Judge Gregory’s interest in law developed while serving in the U.S. Air Force. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and his Juris Doctor (JD) from Seattle University School of Law. His legal career includes 12 years as a public defender and several years managing his own law firm. Judge Gregory participates in the Pacific Science Center’s Forensic Files program, he has been a judge for mock trial and moot court competitions, and volunteers with a number of organizations.
Judge Donohue leaves SMC’s bench this month where she has served since 2011 and was in her second term as Presiding Judge. She led the court through a number of key technology initiatives including electronic case files, initiation of a technology replacement project for the court’s Municipal Court Information System, and a video arraignments pilot. She also initiated strategic planning, needs-based sentencing, and expansion of the Court Resource Center. SMC judges and staff are grateful for Judge Donohue’s leadership and congratulate her on the appointment to King County Superior Court.