Kathryn Trumbull, the daughter of an immigrant from Scotland, was in her 30s, about to be divorced, and was faced with supporting her three teenage children with only a Bachelor of Science in psychology. She knew she needed an advanced degree, so she applied to law school at the UW. The year before she was admitted there had been only 18 women in all three classes of the law school, but a letter was sent out saying that the university would consider women applicants on an equal footing with men. Kathryn’s class contained approximately 40 women. Parenting, working and studying for the next three years, she says now she doesn’t think she has ever caught up on her sleep.

After law school and the bar exam, she joined the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s office from 1973 to 1981, serving the last few years as chief criminal deputy prosecutor. She then opened her own law practice in Everett, specializing in family law, criminal defense work and personal injury cases. In 1988 she was appointed as a Snohomish County Superior Court Commissioner.

In 1990 then-Governor Booth Gardner appointed her as Snohomish County Superior Court’s first female judge. In that capacity she earned a reputation of being fair, independent and tough-minded among prosecutors and defense attorneys. Among the awards she received was Judge of the Year from the Snohomish County Bar Association. She also believes strongly in education of women and encouraging other women to serve as judges. She has received awards for her work for children: Volunteers of the Snohomish County Guardian Ad Litem Program “In gratitude for your commitment to thoughtful and difficult decisions in safeguarding the children of Snohomish County” and DSHS Children’s Administration “In recognition of outstanding contributions in establishing permanency for children in Snohomish County, Region III.”

Trumbull passed away on March 10, 2017.

Kathryn Trumbull graduated from Ballard High School, attended Shoreline Community College and University of Washington for both and went on to become Snohomish County Superior Court’s first female judge.

Hon. Kathryn Skinner Trumbull ’55