Welcome to Skagit County

February 11, 2016

Superior Court Judge Cook to retire March 1

MOUNT VERNON – After serving 20 years as Superior Court Judge for Skagit County, Judge Susan K. Cook will retire on March 1, 2016.

Judge Cook graduated from the University of Washington Law School in 1985 with highest honors. She subsequently joined the law office of Paul N. Luvera Jr. in Mount Vernon, where she practiced until 1992.

In 1992 Judge Cook was selected to serve as Superior Court Commissioner. During the next four years she was primarily responsible for hearing cases involving family law disputes and juvenile matters.

In 1996, Judge Cook ran unopposed for the judicial position vacated by the retirement of Judge George McIntosh. She became the first female Judge for Skagit County.

Judge Cook frequently contributes to legal publications and lectures on topics pertaining to the law. She has served on the Board of Directors for Skagit Pre-School and Resource Center (SPARC), on the Woman’s Alliance and Network Board (SWAN), and was named as the 2000 Skagit County Business and Professional Woman of the year. She also served as secretary of the Skagit County Pioneer Association from 1995 – 2010.

In 2015, she was named Judge of the Year by the Washington State Association for Justice. This award is given to a judge who promotes the justice system through “exercise of outstanding judicial ruling or leadership.” Additionally she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Washington State Bar Association. This award is in recognition of the many years of service to attorneys and people of Skagit County by promoting fairness, demeanor, community service and mentoring leaving a lasting legacy and ideal to uphold for future lawyers and judges.

An open house celebration honoring Judge Cook will be held on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 3 p.m. in the Skagit County Courthouse, Courtroom Two.