Submitted by the campaign to elect Rita Latsinova

Rita Latsinova of Friday Harbor is running for the seat on the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division 1, District 3, which includes Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan Counties. The position was opened by the retirement of Judge Mary Kay Becker of Bellingham – one of two women judges out of 10 in Division 1.

With over 20 years of continuous appellate experience, Latsinova has briefed and/or argued dozens of civil cases involving a wide range of issues and served as a special assistant attorney general assisting the state of Washington in several complex civil matters. Her pro bono work includes cooperating on cases for Legal Voice, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, the American Civil Liberties Union and Neighbors for Notice. She also served as a hearing officer for attorney discipline for the Washington State Bar Association.

Latsinova has appeared before all levels of Washington state courts, in various federal courts, including the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and superior courts in Oregon, Iowa and New Hampshire.

Born in what was then the Soviet Union, Latsinova moved to Seattle with her American husband Tom Crane in 1990. She became a U.S. citizen in 1994, the same year she graduated cum laude from Seattle University Law School, where she was editor of the law review. Latsinova was an associate attorney at Bogel and Gates (1994-99), an associate and partner at Dorsey and Whitney (1999-2003) and has been a partner at Stoel Rives since 2003.

Latsinova and Tom built a house on San Juan Island in 2001. Their daughter is a 7th grader at Spring Street International School in Friday Harbor.

As an immigrant from a totalitarian society, Latsinova has a deep appreciation for democratic values, inclusion, the rule of law, and an independent judiciary. She has the ability to understand, analyze and clearly present complex legal issues on the wide range of subjects appellate cases entail. If elected, she would serve with honor.

For more information on the candidate, visit ritaforcourtofappeals.com.