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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Honorable Gerry L. Alexander Receives Award of Merit, the WSBA's Highest Honor(SEATTLE) — The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) announces that the Honorable Gerry L. Alexander, chief justice of the Washington State Supreme Court, will be honored with the 2008 Award of Merit. First given in 1957, the Award of Merit is the WSBA's highest honor. It is given for long-term service to the Bar and/or the public. WSBA President Stan Bastian will present the award at the WSBA Annual Awards Dinner, to be held on September 18, 2008, at the Grand Hyatt Seattle Hotel. Justice Alexander was born in Aberdeen, and moved at an early age to Olympia. He received a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Washington, served as a lieutenant in the United States Army Infantry, then returned to the University of Washington to earn his law degree. Prior to his judicial career, Justice Alexander practiced law in Olympia for nine years with the firm of Parr, Baker, Alexander and Cordes. During this time, he also served a term as president of the Thurston-Mason County Bar Association. He was first elected to the Washington State Supreme Court in 1994, having previously served as a judge of the superior court for Thurston and Mason Counties from 1973-1984, and as a judge of the Court of Appeals, Division Two, from 1985-1994. In 2001, he was elected as chief justice, and was re-elected in 2004. Justice Alexander has the distinction of being the longest-serving chief justice in the state's history. Justice Alexander has been involved with numerous committees, associations, and boards throughout his career. He has served as chair of the Bench-Bar-Press Committee, the Board for Judicial Administration, the Capital Furnishings Preservation Committee, and the Marine Employment Commission. He has served as president and member of the Bigelow House Preservation Association; the Capital High School Sports Booster Club; the Olympia Area YMCA; the Olympia Lions Club; the Puget Sound Inn of Court; the State Capitol Historical Society; and United Way of Thurston County. He has also served on the Junior League of Olympia Community Advisory Board; the Olympia Area Chamber of Commerce; the Olympia Historical Society; the Olympia Rotary Club; and the Statute Law Committee. Justice Alexander has previously been honored with many awards, including the 2008 Henry M. Jackson Distinguished Alumni Public Service Award from the University of Washington; the 2007 Outstanding Judge of the Year Award from the King County Bar Association; the 2006 Professionalism Award for the United States Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit; and an honorary law doctorate from Gonzaga University School of Law. "The Award of Merit recognizes a significant career of service to both the Bar Association and the legal profession," said Stan Bastian. "Chief Justice Alexander deserves this recognition by his professional colleagues and I will be honored to present it to him." About the Washington State Bar Association # # # |