Legal/Judicial Experience: An appellate attorney with 23 years of experience, Rita appeared before all levels of state appellate courts, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.

Other Professional Experience: Appointed a Special Assistant Attorney General to represent Washington state in disputes with state's insurers.

Education: Rita is a 1994 cum laude graduate from Seattle University School of Law; editor of law review.

Community Service: Pro bono attorney for Northwest Women's Law Center (Legal Voice) protecting reproductive rights.  Pro bono attorney for Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and ACLU challenging delays in processing naturalization of legal permanent residents.

Statement: In her long career as an appellate lawyer, Rita has handled dozens of cases ranging from commercial disputes to land-use and regulatory issues. She has far more, and greater depth, of appellate expertise than any other candidate.

Born in the Soviet Union, Rita emigrated to the United States in 1990 after teaching English and interpreting for The New York Times, National Public Radio and CBS News. She became a US citizen in 1994. Rita worked as associate attorney at Bogle and Gates, as associate then partner at Dorsey and Whitney, and has been a partner at Stoel Rives LLP for 15 years.

Rita is deeply committed to the rule of law and independence of the judiciary. To her, these values are not academic but real and personal. Rita and her family live in Friday Harbor. Rita commutes to work in Seattle each week (Court of Appeals Division One is based in Seattle).

Rita is endorsed by Washigton Supreme Court Justice Barbara Madsen, Washington Supreme Court Justice Phil Talmadge (retired), Whatcom County Council Chair Rud Browne, San Juan County Councilmember Rick Hughes, Island County Commission Chair Helen Price Johnson. Please see www.ritaforcourtofappeals.com for more informaton.