Gov. Jay Inslee today appointed W. Brent Basden to the Clallam County Superior Court. He replaces Judge Christopher Melly who plans to retire at the end of the year.
Basden has served as Clallam County Superior Court Commissioner since 2008. Prior to that he had a private law practice in Port Angeles which covered a wide range of family, criminal and civil law matters.
He serves the community as stake president for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has coached youth baseball and has worked in Clallam County as a pro bono lawyer. Basden has taught a number of continuing legal education courses that have focused on the Indian Child Welfare Act, judging dependencies in rural counties and domestic relations issues.
“Brent has extensive legal experience, the respect of the lawyers who appear before him and deep roots in Clallam County. He will make an outstanding addition to the bench,” Inslee said.
Basden holds a law degree from Brigham Young University where he also received his bachelor’s degree. He attended Gonzaga University and graduated from Port Angeles High School.
His appointment is effective January 1, 2019.