Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Simon Barnhart today, May 7, 2020, to the Clallam County Superior Court. He replaces Judge Brian Coughenour, who is retiring in June.
Barnhart currently works as the general counsel for the PUD No. 1 of Clallam County, a role he has held since November 2018. Before that, for several months, he advised the Port of Port Angeles as general counsel. And from 2003 to 2018, Barnhart maintained a practice with the Platt Irwin Law Firm, taking on an array of civil and criminal matters.
In the community, Barnhart served a term as the Clallam County Bar Association President in 2012, and he was a member of the Clallam/Jefferson Pro Bono Lawyers Association from 2006 to 2013, including two terms as president in 2008 and 2012. Barnhart was also elected the board president of the United Way of Clallam County for 2009-2010.
“Simon has a breadth of legal experience, particularly on the civil side, both as a litigator and advisor,” Inslee said. “His experience and community involvement have prepared him well to take this next step onto the bench.”
Barnhart earned his law degree from the University of Washington School of Law, and he earned his bachelor’s from the University of Washington. He is a graduate of Port Angeles High School.