12/20/2007: "Judge Linde Says “Thank you”!"

Newly appointed Superior Court Judge John O. Linde would like the citizens of San Juan County to know that “I am both honored and humbled by the confidence our Governor has shown in me by appointing me Superior Court Judge for San Juan County. I want to commend Governor Gregoire and her General Counsel Richard Mitchell for the exhaustive (and sometimes exhausting) process utilized in making judicial appointments. Part of that process was carried out through interviews with minority bar association judicial evaluation committees. A diverse group of disinterested persons had an opportunity to interview the candidates and rate their qualifications. The citizens of San Juan County also had an opportunity to voice their opinions.”

Linde also expressed his appreciate for the community support through the long selection process:

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“To those who encouraged and supported me throughout the entire process, my sincere thanks. I will not betray the confidence you have shown in me. To those who supported our Prosecutor, or for whatever reason opposed my appointment, I promise each of you that I will carry out the duties of Superior Court Judge in a fair, consistent, and dignified manner. I will decide matters brought before me based on the law, allowing neither sympathy nor prejudice to influence me.”

For those who have been clients and may now wonder how his appointment may impact them, he added “And to my clients, and more than that my friends, who I have worked with over these past 35 years, I will not abandon you. I am in the process of making arrangements for the smooth transition of my practice. I will be in contact with each of you in the coming weeks. Deciding to pursue the judgeship, knowing that if successful I would have to give up my practice, was the hardest decision I have ever made. Had the Governor not appointed me to the bench I would have been happy to continue representing each of you for the next 20 years.’

As for the future, he states “I look forward to serving the citizens of San Juan County as your Superior Court Judge and will work hard to uphold the standards set by Judges Churchill and Hancock.”