Governor Ferguson appoints Jessica Murphy Manca to King County Superior Court

OLYMPIA - Today Governor Bob Ferguson announced the appointment of Jessica Murphy Manca to the position of King County Superior Court Judge. Manca's appointment, effective July 1, fills the position that Judge Karen Donohue's resignation will vacate.

Manca is a career prosecutor with more than 15 years of experience in criminal law. She currently practices as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Washington, where she serves as the U.S. Attorney's Office's Criminal Civil Rights Coordinator - leading investigations of hate crimes and criminal violations of people's constitutional rights. Her practice has also focused on cybercrime, cyberstalking and financial crimes, and she previously served as the Western District of Washington's Project Safe Neighborhoods Program Coordinator - working with community leaders and nonprofits on gun-violence prevention, intervention and reentry programs.

"Jessica Murphy Manca's commitment to our justice system combined with her broad legal experience will serve Washingtonians well," Governor Bob Ferguson said. "I'm confident she will provide steady leadership on the King County bench."

"I am honored to continue serving my community as a judge," Manca said. "I thank the Governor for recognizing my commitment to faithfully and conscientiously upholding constitutional rights and providing litigants with a dignified and respectful space to seek justice."

Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney's Office, Manca spent a decade at the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office as a criminal trial and appellate lawyer. She appeared daily in King County's superior and district courts, handling hundreds of felony and misdemeanor cases, including approximately fifty jury trials. Manca earned a promotion to Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in 2017.

Earlier in her career, she clerked for U.S. District Judge Michael W. Mosman in the District of Oregon. Manca also served as a judicial extern for U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik in the Western District of Washington.

Outside the courtroom, Manca mentors new attorneys and volunteers for youth sports organizations like Seattle Central Little League. She regularly participates in programs that introduce students to the practice of law.

When not working, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and their dog, enjoying the incomparable beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Manca earned her bachelor's degree from Harvard University and her law degree with high honors from the University of Washington School of Law.