Hon. Bruce A. Spanner (Ret.) was a judge for the Benton-Franklin County Superior Court in Washington. He was elected to the bench in 2008 and was retained in subsequent elections. Spanner retired in 2021.
He received a B.S. in chemical engineering from Washington State University in 1977. Spanner then spent the next few years working in the pulp and paper industry in Longview before completing a J.D. at Gonzaga University School of Law in 1984.
At the time of his election, he was a partner at Miller, Mertens, Spanner & Comfort. During his tenure in private practice, Spanner appeared before the Washington State Supreme Court and Court of Appeals as well as federal courts.
In addition to his practice, he sat as a pro tem judge for the Benton-Franklin County Superior Court and Benton County District Court.
Spanner was chair of the Washington State Superior Court Judges’ Association Technology Committee and participated in a project to replace the existing statewide case management software as a representative for the Association.
His civic involvement included the Kiwanis, March of Dimes, Salvation Army, Water Follies, Richland and Tri-Cities Regional Chambers of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity, and Bethel Church.
Spanner was also active on the Law Day and National Adoption Day Committees.
He was born in Denver, Colorado, and raised in Richland, Washington. After retiring from the bench, Spanner looked forward to spending more time with his wife, Mary.
| Current Appointment Benton-Franklin County Superior Court, Retired | Benton-Franklin County Superior Court, Retired |
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Education
J.D., Gonzaga University School of Law - 1984 B.S., Washington State University - 1977 |
J.D., Gonzaga University School of Law - 1984 B.S., Washington State University - 1977 |
| Current Court: | WA - Benton-Franklin County Superior Court |
|---|
| Role | Employer | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Judge | Benton-Franklin County Superior Court | None |
| Partner | Miller, Mertens, Spanner & Comfort | Benton County, Washington |
| Pro Tem Judge | Benton-Franklin County Superior Court | None |
| Pro Tem Judge | Benton County District Court | Benton County, Washington |
Ballotpedia: Bruce A. Spanner
Benton-Franklin County Superior Court: Judges of Benton and Franklin Counties
The Bellingham Herald: Supreme Court Tells Tri-Cities Judges They Can Sue a County Clerk. But They Can't Bill Taxpayers
Commission on Judicial Conduct: Bruce Spanner
Voting for Judges: Bruce Spanner
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