Justice Richard B. Sanders was first elected to the Supreme Court by special election in 1995 and was reelected to serve a full term of six years in 1998. During his 26 years of legal practice prior to becoming a Justice of the Washington Supreme Court, Justice Sanders tried several hundred cases at virtually every level of the court system and litigated more than 100 appeals (no fewer than 60 of which resulted in published opinions). Since coming to the Supreme Court he has become one of its most prolific writers and he is recognized for his published opinions.
As a private practitioner he championed the civil rights of his clients and still regards protection of our constitutionally guaranteed liberties as the first duty of our highest court. Justice Sanders believes the court must protect all the legal rights of all the citizens who come before it all the time. "We have no second class citizens," he adds. His special interest in the Washington State Constitution and often quotes his favorite passage:
Justice Sanders is a native of Tacoma and spent the best years of his childhood there. He moved to Seattle where he graduated from Highline High School. While there he was elected president of his high school debate club and he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Justice Sanders received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Washington after participating in the political science honors program and playing* in the Rose Bowl. He thereafter earned his Juris Doctorate in 1969 from the University of Washington School of Law. While at the University, Justice Sanders wrote "The Devil's Advocate," a weekly column of opinion in The Daily, the student newspaper.
Since taking his seat on the Supreme Court Justice Sanders has served as an adjunct professor teaching appellate advocacy at the UW School of Law; has written articles for professional journals; and has presented lectures to legal and civic organizations on diverse topics including civil liberties, land use, the Washington Constitution, legal ethics, and Abraham Lincoln, among others.
Justice Sanders also participates in the Court's "Judges-in-the-Classroom" program and enjoys inviting students and community groups to tour the Temple of Justice and to visit with him. He is the father of Laura Sanders who is enthusiastic in all her endeavors and is the light of her daddy's life.
* The French Horn