Brian Parker, Clallam County Superior Court Family Court Commissioner, was abruptly terminated from his position on February 10, 2026. The Superior Court announced his appointment to the position in September, 2024, and he took the bench on January 13, 2025.
The Clallam County Superior Court has not offered an explanation for the unusual and abrupt termination.
Previously, Parker worked as a lawyer and part time Court Commissioner in Snohomish County.
The Clallam County Superior Court judges will now begin the search for a new Commissioner. It will likely take 1-3 months before a new Commissioner can take the bench. Until then, the Superior Court Judges will take turns handling matters in the Family Court. Changes to the Family Court schedule are not expected.
In Clallam County Superior Court, there are three elected judges, and one Family Court Commissioner who is appointed by the judges. The judges are responsible to search for a suitable candidate and appoint them. They do so in a closed process without oversight, supervision or input from voters or any other government official.
Family Court Commissioner history
The Clallam County Family Court has existed for about 37 years. There have been 5 Commissioners, and soon there will be a sixth.
30 years and 2 Commissioners
During the first 30 years since the Family Court was created, it was fill by two Commissioners.
William Knebes, a Port Angeles lawyer, established the Family Court system in Clallam County and was the first Family Court Commissioner. He served for about 19 years and was awarded the honor of Jurist of the Year. He worked tirelessly and closely with community leaders to develop the Family Court into something that became a blessing for the county.
Port Angeles lawyer Brent Basden next filled the position. He was appointed to replace the retiring Commissioner Knebes in January 2008, and served for 11 years before being appointed as a Clallam County Superior Court Judge in 2019.
7 years and 4 Commissioners
Jefferson County lawyer Brandon Mack took over from Commissioner Basden on January 19, 2019. He served in the position for four years, and then moved back to Jefferson County after being appointed by the Governor to be the Jefferson County Superior Court Judge. He replaced Judge Keith Harper who retired.
Elizabeth Stanley took over the position on February 27, 2023. She left the position two years later, on January 13, 2025, after she won the election for the position of Clallam County Superior Court Judge. Ms. Stanley was originally from New York where she practiced corporate law, then worked for the Arizona Attorney General practicing dependency law before moving to Washington.
Brian Parker took the position on January 13, 2025 when Commissioner Stanley became a judge. Parker served for a total of 13 months.
A fourth Commissioner will take the bench likely before May 2026.