04.30.14

Cantwell Applauds Confirmation of New Federal Judge for Eastern Washington Court

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) praised the confirmation of Wenatchee attorney Stanley Allen Bastian as U.S. District Court judge for the Eastern District of Washington. Cantwell spoke on the Senate floor this afternoon in support of Bastian, prior to the Senate’s 95-0 vote to confirm him.

Bastian, a partner at the Wenatchee law firm of Jeffers, Danielson, Sonn & Aylward, was nominated by President Obama to replace Judge Edward Shea, who serves on the bench in Richland but now handles reduced caseloads after moving to senior status in 2012. Cantwell supported Bastian’s nomination and praised his legal service in a Senate floor speech prior to the vote.

“Stan Bastian is exactly the kind of highly qualified federal judge that Eastern Washington needs,” Cantwell said in a floor speech. “The Eastern District of Washington represents a wide swath of Washington state: 20 counties that cover 63% of the land of Washington state. Yet, that court has been operating with 2 vacancies. It’s time for the Senate to move forward on filling this position.”

Video of Cantwell’s speech is available here.

Bastian has more than 30 years of legal experience – including 25 years in private practice in Wenatchee. He was president of the Washington State Bar Association from 2007 to 2008, and he served as chairman of the state Equal Justice Coalition from 2010 to 2013.

“When I interviewed Mr. Bastian, I was impressed by his respect for legal precedent, his commitment to the rule of law, his work to improve access to justice, and his local knowledge that is very important to serving Eastern Washington and all of Washington,” Cantwell added. “His legal career exemplifies public service, a commitment to justice, and a stellar legal intellect.  I am confident that he will serve the Eastern District well.”

Bastian has handled a diverse portfolio of legal matters, including representing counties, public utility districts, fruit growers, medical clinics, and individuals. Bastian has also served as a judge pro tem in municipal courts in Chelan, Leavenworth, Cashmere, and Rock Island. Prior to private practice, he worked as an assistant city attorney in Seattle, where he handled criminal cases.

Bastian earned his law degree at the University of Washington Law School and a B.S. from the University of Oregon. He worked as law clerk to Judge Ward Williams on the state Court of Appeals from 1984 to 1985. 

The Eastern District covers all of Washington state east of the Cascade Mountains, and includes courthouses in Spokane, Yakima, and Richland.  Bastian’s confirmation fills one of two vacancies in the Eastern District. In January, Obama nominated Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr., a Superior Court judge for Franklin and Benton Counties, for the second position. If confirmed, Mendoza would be the first Latino federal judge on the Eastern District bench.

A full transcript of Cantwell’s remarks follows.

Senator Cantwell: I rise today to express my support for the nomination of Stanley Bastian to be District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington. Stan Bastian is exactly the kind of highly qualified federal judge that Eastern Washington needs.

The Eastern District of Washington represents a swath of Washington that is 20 counties that cover 63% of the land of Washington state. Yet, that court has been operating with 2 vacancies. It’s time for the Senate to move forward on filling this position.

I hope we confirm Mr. Bastian today and I hope we can move forward on a vote for Mr. Salvador Mendoza in the coming weeks as well. Mr. Bastian is an outstanding choice for the Eastern District bench. We want to make sure that we understand why.

He was born in Washington and is well-versed in Pacific Northwest issues. As my colleagues – Mr. Wyden and Mr. Merkley – will note, he is a graduate of the University of Oregon. But he also went to law school at the University of Washington.

He has handled a diverse portfolio of legal matters: including representing counties, public utility districts, fruit growers, medical clinics, brokers, and individuals. He brings more than 30 years of legal experience to the federal bench including 25 years in private practice. He is well rounded and experienced from all sides of the legal process: civil and criminal trials, mediation, arbitration, and negotiations between parties.

Throughout his distinguished career, he’s shown a dedication to justice and equal access to the law. As an experienced trial attorney, he has earned the support and recognition of his peers.

When I interviewed Mr. Bastian, I was impressed by his respect for legal precedent, his commitment to the rule of law, his work to improve access to justice, and his local knowledge that is very important to serving Eastern Washington and all of Washington.

Mr. Bastian has also served as a judge pro tem in municipal courts. And recently, he had the opportunity to lead the Washington State Bar Association. As president of that organization, Mr. Bastian focused on ethics, professionalism, and civility in the legal profession. So, he has a long and wide-ranging background in the law and in the legal community. That is exactly why we should put him on the federal bench.

His legal career exemplifies public service, a commitment to justice, and a stellar legal intellect.  I am confident that he will serve the Eastern District well. So I hope, Madam President, that we will move forward on these nominees and confirm Mr. Bastian. I thank the President and I yield the floor.

 

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