Judge Kitty-Ann van Doorninck: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Hon. Kitty-Ann van Doorninck is a judge for the Pierce County Superior Court in Washington. She was appointed to the bench by former Governor Gary Locke in 1998 to fill a newly created position on the court.

While on the bench, van Doorninck served as a Family Court judge (2003 to 2007) and as presiding judge of the Juvenile Court (2011 to 2014).

She received a B.A. from California State Polytechnic University in 1980. Van Doorninck went on to complete a J.D. at the University of Puget Sound School of Law in 1983.

After law school, she joined the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, where she worked as a deputy prosecuting attorney until her appointment to the judiciary in 1998.

As an active participant of the Washington State Superior Court Judges’ Association, van Doorninck has served as a member of its Board of Trustees, Legislative Committee (chair), and Family and Juvenile Law Committee (chair) as well as served as a member of the Commission on Children in Foster Care on the Association’s behalf.

She also served as a member of the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association (trustee) and the Washington Women Lawyers.

From a civic standpoint, van Doorninck has been involved with the American Leadership Forum (senior fellow), the Fund for Women and Girls Grant Committee, the Safe Streets Campaign (board member and past president), the Fuchs Foundation (board member), the Tacoma City Club, and served as a volunteer judge for the “We the People” high school civics competition.

She received the Judge William Nevins Award from the Washington Judges Foundation in 2013.