07.12.23

Cantwell Celebrates Confirmation of Two Washington State Women to Federal Bench

Kymberly Evanson grew up in Grays Harbor County, attended Bellarmine Prep in Tacoma and Seattle U; Tiffany Cartwright grew up in Kitsap County, attended Central Kitsap HS, will be first woman to serve as a federal district court judge from the Tacoma courthouse

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) spoke on the Senate floor in support of the confirmation of State of Washington natives Kymberly Evanson and Tiffany Cartwright as judges for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.

Evanson was confirmed yesterday by the Senate with a vote of 50-42. Cartwright was confirmed today by a vote of 50-47.

In her floor speech, Sen. Cantwell said that nearly all of Evanson’s career has been spent in the Western District of Washington, where she’ll serve after her confirmation.

“She has nearly 15 years of experience in constitutional and federal law procedure,” Sen. Cantwell continued. “Ms. Evanson has dedicated her free time to supporting her community through volunteer work, and since 2013, she has been a regular volunteer with Western District of Washington's Federal Civil Rights Clinic [...] Ms. Evanson’s commitment to ensuring legal services and counsel is available to all, regardless of income, shows her dedication to a fair and inclusive justice system.”

Sen. Cantwell also highlighted the historic nature of Cartwright’s nomination.

“If confirmed, Ms. Cartwright would be the first woman to serve as federal district judge from the Tacoma Courthouse,” Sen. Cantwell said. “Ms. Cartwright has made it a priority to improve the accessibility of the courts. In her free time, she has served as pro bono counsel for cases involving women and LGBTQ rights. And at the Seattle law firm where she works, she's developed a successful fellowship program to draw on a diverse range of applicants to the firm and help reduce bias in the workforce. So a real champion for her community and civil rights. She would make an outstanding addition to the U.S. Western District of Washington.”

Evanson was born and raised in Washington state. She grew up in Grays Harbor County and attended Tacoma’s Bellarmine Preparatory School. Evanson then earned a bachelor’s degree from Seattle University, and went on to earn a law degree at Georgetown University. She is currently a practicing lawyer in Seattle, as well as a regular volunteer with the Western District of Washington’s Federal Civil Rights Clinic.

Cartwright grew up in Kitsap County and attended Central Kitsap High School. She earned undergraduate and law degrees at Stanford University, and served as a law clerk in the Alaska state Supreme Court. Cartwright returned to Washington state where she currently serves as a civil rights attorney in Seattle -- her practice focuses on police misconduct and gender discrimination. In her free time, she serves as pro bono counsel for cases involving women’s and LGBTQ+ rights.

Sen. Cantwell recommended both judges to President Biden.  Each judge was identified and recommended by a nonpartisan judicial selection committee that identifies and recommends candidate for federal judicial positions to Sen. Cantwell and Sen. Patty Murray, who in turn recommended their nomination to the White House.

Video of Sen. Cantwell’s remarks is available HERE, audio HERE, and a transcript HERE.