Legal/Judicial Experience: Supreme Court Justice; fourteen years as trial judge; Instructor and Distinguished Jurist in Residence, Seattle University School of Law; seven years, King County Prosecutor’s Office. 

Other Professional Experience: Co-Chair, Minority and Justice Commission; Advisory Board, UW Gates Law Scholars Program; Director, Peace and Justice Office, Archdiocese of Chicago. 

Education: J.D., University of Notre Dame Law School; M.A., Theology, Mundelein of Loyola University; B.A., Dominican University.

Community Service: Co-Chair, WSBA-UW Leadership Institute; Boardmember FareStart; distinguished speaker on civility in the legal profession, access to justice, and reducing court financial barriers. Mentor to minority and disadvantaged students statewide. 

Statement: Justice Yu joined the Court after fourteen years as a highly respected trial judge, where she presided over both criminal and civil cases, including hundreds of adoptions and other family law matters. Her experience as a trial court judge makes her uniquely qualified to understand how the law is actually applied to ordinary people and the importance of clear court decisions that follow the law and protect our constitution, whether respecting individual privacy or requiring open government.

Her proven experience, independence, integrity, and impartiality have earned her numerous awards including “Judge of the Year” from the Washington State Bar Association, King County Washington Women Lawyers, Washington State Association for Justice, and “Public Official of the Year” from the Municipal League Foundation. Justice Yu received the highest possible rating - Exceptionally Well Qualified - from all bar associations that rated her.

Justice Yu is dedicated to improving our system of justice so that it delivers equal justice to all regardless of who you are. She is endorsed by current and former judges, elected leaders, Women’s Political Caucus, State Labor Council, Firefighters, Housing Alliance Action Fund, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, law enforcement, civic leaders, teachers, nurses, business owners and ordinary citizens statewide.