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01/16/2008: "John Linde Is The New Judge"

Wednesday 2:40 P.M. John Linde has been appointed to be the new Superior Court Judge of San Juan County

Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced the appointment of John O. Linde as San Juan County Judge, a newly created full-time position. Linde’s appointment is effective Jan. 1, 2008.

Previously, San Juan and Island counties shared judges. Past stories on the judgeship question

“As a resident of Friday Harbor for 35 years, John has a history with San Juan County that will be important in this new position,” said Gov. Gregoire. “I’m pleased to appoint someone to the bench with the depth of professional and personal experience that John has in that area.”


Linde’s previous judicial experience includes being a San Juan County District Court judge for 21 years, as well as court commissioner and Superior Court judge pro tem.

“I am delighted with Governor Gregoire’s appointment of John Linde,” said Judge Alan Hancock of the Island & San Juan County Judicial District. “She has made a wise and thoughtful choice. The people of San Juan County deserve the very best, and John is the very best.”

Judge Vickie I. Churchill, also on the bench in the Island & San Juan County Judicial District, said, “John Linde is an excellent choice for this historic occasion, the first judge for San Juan County Superior Court. John will serve the citizens of San Juan County with honor and distinction for many years to come.”

Linde has been principal in the Law Offices of John O. Linde in Friday Harbor since 1987. He specializes in general law practice, with emphasis on real estate; land use and permitting; estate planning, wills and trusts; guardianship; probate, family law; small business formation; and civil and criminal litigation.

Linde was admitted to the Washington State Bar in 1972 and the Oregon State Bar in 2002.

Linde is a current board member of the Friday Harbor Athletic Association and the San Juan Golf and Country Club. He is a past board member of the Inter Island Medical Center, San Juan Community Theatre and San Juan Little League.

He received his Juris Doctorate from Willamette University College of Law in 1972 and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Washington in 1969.

Linde and his wife, Carol, have been married 37 years. They have two children, Brian and Kristen.