She filled the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. "I think a lot of people misconstrue that to mean, if you're Black, for example, you will be making decisions that assist only Black people. Superior Court Department 11, Washington Supreme Court Opinions & Orders. Serns acknowledged that his path to candidacy for the high court was an unorthodox one. LHM: You are at the intersection of several identities: being a Black, gay woman; living with a disability; a first-generation immigrant. Helen Whitener LHM: Shifting the focus to our judicial system in Washington state, there has been a lot of work in training the Bar and the judiciary about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) recently. 509 Olive Way, Suite 305, Seattle, WA 98101, Justice G. Helen Whitener Builds Her Case in Our Supreme Court, a Black woman to the country's highest court, Hilary Franz Has Her Eye on Public Landsand Beyond. in business administration and international marketing from Baruch College, New York, and received her J.D. Listen Incumbent G. Helen Whitener and Richard Serns are running in the special general election for Washington State Supreme Court Position 6 on November 3, 2020. Justice Whitener was born and raised in the Caribbean island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. WebUse Contact My Politician to easily send Text/Video Messages to Justice of the Supreme Court Grace Helen Whitener. WebLYNN RAINEY (GOVERNOR) WHITENER RAINEY WRITT, PS: WASHINGTON WA PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CORPORATION: WRITE REVIEW: Address: 7403 Lakewood Drive W Suite 8 Lakewood, WA 98499: Registered Agent: Lynn D Rainey: Filing Date: July 01, 2008: File Number: 602840527: View People Named Lynn Rainey in Washington: Photos courtesy of Washington State Supreme Court and Justice Prior to her appointment to Washington State's highest court, Justice Whitener served as a Pierce County Superior Court judge from 2015 to April 2020. 20+ "Lynn Rainey" profiles | LinkedIn See Photos. We still have a long way to go. lynn rainey and helen whitener Lets take his dream and lets create a plan for solutions, sustainable solutions. I am in my mid-50s and that dream has not come to fruition. View attorney's profile for reviews, office locations, and contact information. But if you are prepared to do the best work possible and create a trustworthy family of colleagues and friends, these are the tenets that serve as your foundation to succeed. Available for editorial and personal use only. 2. or. <>/Metadata 51 0 R/ViewerPreferences 52 0 R>> T%AZH9!AJB+&'b,ZL#>q At the time of her appointment to the Supreme Court, she resided in Pierce County with her wife, Lynn Rainey, who is also an attorney. Not only is she a Black immigrant, she is openly gay and arrived in America to receive treatment for paralysis to her right side. WebAlumni listing of defunct FSC graduates, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, former students and faculty, staff and find of FSC. In joining a supreme court that has recently driven major Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. See Photos. If you are in front of me, I want you to be able to pull me up. degree in Business Administration and International Marketing from Baruch College, New York, and received her J.D. Lynn Rainney. GHW:All we can do is try to educate folks as to why change is necessary and needed, and then we can provide opportunities for change. Rossi used that same word during the Stonewall Award presentationnot because Whitener was the first, she said, "but because she insists on not being the last. Support comes from creating that village of mentees and seeing it become a movement founded on the fundamentals of giving back. Hon. But increasing diversity on the bench also leads to some misconceptions. I dont mean lose yourself, but remove yourself from those labels and think of yourself as just like everybody else. Governor Jay Inslee made his third appointment to the Washington Supreme Court last week, elevating G. Helen Whitener, a judge on the Pierce County Superior Court.. Speaker Details: Women's Leadership Conference 2022 Its her work in the community and building relationships, that make campaigning for a seat easier than it might otherwise be right now, Whitener said. Whitener holds the distinction of being the first black LGBTQ judge in Washington and the first black woman to serve on the Washington Supreme Court. Before becoming a judge, Justice Whitener litigated both civil and criminal cases for 14 years, first as a prosecutor and defense attorney and later as a managing partner of the law firm of Whitener Rainey Writt PS. 8 Lakewood, WA 98499. I create goals and I create action plans. by clicking the Inbox on the top right hand corner. Call 1-800-491-0909 now! Justice G. Helen Whitener was appointed to the Washington State Supreme Court in April 2020 and she was elected by the voters to retain her position on the State Supreme Court in November 2020. But when Biden committed to appointing a Black woman to the country's highest court, the first Blackfemale justiceon Washington's Supreme Courtappeared on a couple lists ofcandidates for the federal gig. In your case, it has. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. Justice Whitener is the Appellate Court Representative to the Washington Supreme Court Interpreter Commission, and she is the former co-chair of the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission. 8 Lakewood, WA 98499 U.S.A. See Default Location Only is part of the Martindale-Avvo Network. 1701 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036 | Phone: (202) 637-7661 | E-mail: info@lgbtqbar.org. He currently serves as Outside Counsel to and on the Management Committee of Gas South, LLC, one of the largest Natural Gas She is survived by her children Edie Macaluso Stapleton (Michael) of Sci This is not an easy journey, but the discourse is prevalent in our society, and we have action plans in place in our government and educational institutions. G. Helen Whitener, a defense attorney and former deputy prosecutor. G. Helen Whitener, Justice, Washington State Supreme Court Biography cases for 14 years as first a prosecutor and defense attorney and later as a managing partner of the law firm of Whitener Rainey Writt PS. It will take leadership of the highest standards to achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion. Whitener, Serns compete in Washington State Supreme Helen Whitener You have to build the trail for the next one to follow. In 2015, at the request of the United States Embassy, Judge Whitener visited her home country to speak on human rights. WebINSTRUCTIONS: This report should be submitted by individuals who have injuries on the UA campus. So much of societys misunderstandings are thrown at the trailblazer. SUE RAINEY Sue Lynn Rainey, 75, passed away Friday, Dec. 20, 2013, at Concord Health and Rehabilitation Center in Wheelersburg. GHW:Mentorship is a beautiful way of giving back to our community. Whitener was Age: 69 Age: 55 One of the November races for a seat on Washingtons Supreme Court is a contest between two candidates whose professional lives changed Designer: jessicar@wsba.org Justice Whitener serves on the Board of Directors of the International Association of LGBT Judges as well as on the Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid Oversight Committee. In Washington state, there are many judges on the Nov. 8 ballot and the only choice voters can make in most of those races is whether to vote at all. To change your settings, click here. What does this word trailblazer truly mean? My vocabulary did not include it as a descriptor for myself. Lynn Rainey Olivia G Smithand Grace H Whitenerare connected to this place. Justice G. Helen Whitener [GHW]: When my father said, To thine own self be true, he wanted us to be our authentic selves. So as familiar as this conversation is to us, if they are finally ready to converse now, we must be flexible to say OK, let me help you with this conversation; let me share because, finally, youre here. Here is Lynn's phone number (253) 539-0368(Qwest Corp). You can always see your envelopes In January 2021, Justice Whitener received the Western Region of the National Black Law Students Association Judge of the Year Award. Lynn Rainey BA, Business Washington State Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals Former Managing Partner, Whitener Rainey Writt Former Pro-Tem Judge, City of will be able to access it on trellis. Those are the labels that are separating us. Learn more about how you can collaborate with us. That experiment failed. Her law degree is from the Seattle University School of Law, earned in 1998 after an earlier career working in international marketing. Search for stock images, vectors and videos. Copyright 2023. Sept. 2, 2020 In January 2021, Justice Whitener received the Western Region of the National Black Law Students Association Judge of the Year Award. THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE WASHINGTON STATE BAR ASSOCIATION. State to release up to 950 nonviolent offenders early in jdJ>S~L:}Emzj\TRSk>IQ7Ay>#@NX*:2lUmN6H1d1$k34$_8G{cb^*_.gr,m\f=ri! rV\:IYD"PaTjH V`' gu=%! 9sAF)[?e"0x J)("RK#. Each Campaign Partner website includes a free domain name, free SSL, hosting, online donations, photo galleries, and an integrated content management system that makes it Spouse or registered domestic partner: Lynn D. Rainey Covering January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021 Candidacies: STATE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE - Whitener didn't see or speak to her for almost three years. Before becoming a judge, Justice Whitener litigated both civil and criminal cases for 14 years as first a prosecutor and defense attorney and later as a managing partner of the law firm of Whitener Rainey Writt PS. Connect, Share Knowledge, and Succeed Within the LGBTQ+ and Ally Legal Community. Prior to her appointment to Washingtons highest court, Justice Whitener served as a Pierce County Superior Court judge. LHM: Could you talk about what you mean by identity transcendence? Justice Whitener serves on the Board of Directors of the International Association of LGBT Judges as well as on the Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid Oversight Committee. Whitener's partner Lynn Rainey is a criminal defense lawyer. I realized then that trailblazer means you are the first one. Practiced law as a deputy prosecutor and defense attorney from 1999-2015. Helen She also founded an event called Color of Justice in 2017, which brings minority girls ages 11 to 18 together for a day of education with female judges, to encourage them to consider legal careers. Whitener, by then married to attorney Lynn Rainey, had to tell a <> Our profession must be better. A Conversation with Groundbreaking LGBTQ+ Supreme Court Justices Justice G. Helen Whitener was appointed to the Washington State Supreme Court in April 2020 and she was elected by the voters to retain her position on the State Supreme Court in November 2020. We must find ways to help others understand how those in our community have been subjected to the negativity brought by societys labels. Local Council Elections - Statements of Persons Nominated Previously served as Superior Court Judge in Pierce County, and as judge for the Washington State Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals from 2013-2015. We must be prepared and ready to acknowledge and to value all our colleagues. There are many people who want to share in the work. The first public library in Wake County, North Carolina, Olivia Raney Memorial Library, is named after her. WebJustice Whitener earned her B.A. Justice Whitener will take her leave effective March 9 and will begin participating remotely in oral arguments effective immediately. There is some backlash with regards to my message. I try to apply the law as broadly as possible, to encompass as many as possible, said Whitener, who notes that shes part of several communities that have traditionally been marginalized by society. The Registered Agent of record is Grace Whitener. Whitener previously served as a judge on the Washington State Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, where she frequently heard cases east of the Cascades. "I don't settle for less than what I think I'm capable of," says Whitener, "and I knew I was capable of getting my mother's full love and acceptance, just like my other siblings.". Serns has said he will not accept campaign donations as part of a pledge to remain politically neutral. Two persons, including Kenneth Grantham, Lynn D Rainey, listed the phone number (253) 539-0368 as their own, various documents indicated. The same is true about my journey: How do I jump this hurdle? This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. The Spokesman-Review has comprehensive coverage of the 2020 election, with in-depth reporting and analysis on local, state and national races. Hon. Helen Whitener You just have to figure out how to go about it because there will be barriers. Perhaps. Washington State Bar News degree in Business Administration and International Marketing from Baruch College, New York, and received her J.D. Like many expectant mothers, Miranda Kekauoha had a plan. Jay Inslee. "Judge Whitener is living proof that the quality of justice is only enhanced by bringing new and different voices, perspectives, and experiences to the bench.". They have also lived in Pueblo, CO and Minneapolis, MN. WebBrowse Gwinnett Daily Post obituaries, conduct other obituary searches, offer condolences/tributes, send flowers or create an online memorial. Family: Married to Valerie. Lynn is related to Betty Aseabolt and John Archie Whitener as well as 3 additional people. Pierce County Superior Court Judge Helen Whitener '98 said those are her life's three guiding principles, which she shared with friends and colleagues as Seattle Justice Whitener serves as co-chair of the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission and is the Appellate Court Representative to the Washington Supreme Court Interpreter Commission. Let's start here: No,Washington Supreme Court justice G. Helen Whitener isn't going to be president Joe Biden's choiceto fill the open slot on that otherSupreme Court. In 2019, Justice Whitener was awarded the Washington State Bar Association's Charles Z. Smith Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award, the King County Washington Women Lawyers President's Award, the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association Service to Diversity Award, and the Seattle University School of Law and Women's Law Caucus Woman of the Year Award. Justice Whitener is often invited to speak to organizations locally, nationally, and internationally on human rights, access to justice, and the responsibility of the judiciary to ensure the right of all who appear before the court to basic dignity and respect in judicial proceedings. Prior to her appointment to Washington States highest court, Justice Whitener served as a Pierce County Superior Court judge. I dont even mind pushing you ahead just as long as we finish.. Justice Whitener has also served as a judge on the Washington State Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals and as a pro-tem judge in Pierce County District Court and the City of Tacoma Municipal Court. Earned law degree from Seattle University School of Law in 1998. This website stores data such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as marketing, personalization, and analytics. I want you to understand something. Three adult children and five grandchildren. He instilled in us a sense of individualism. During one visit to Seattle, she chatted with Supreme Court justice Sonia Sotomayor, who called her a "trailblazer" upon hearing her story. By Seattle Met WebJustice Whitener earned her B.A. % Helen Whitener As for areas of improvement, we must keep up our work to eradicate racial bias. The 400 Years of African American History Commission has also honored Justice Whitener, naming her a 2020 Distinguished 400 Awardee. Our friend, Justice Helen Whitener The Suburban Times Weve been trained onDEI issues for quite some time now in the legal profession and the judiciary. LHM: Its an impossible task to take on by yourself isnt it? I just have a different set of qualifications.. Lynn Whitener With this mindset comes a responsibility, and that responsibility is to use my sense of worth to educate others and encourage their pursuit of their life interests and not be held back by societys labels. She's an active and vocal proponent of human rights, access to justice, and encouraging judges to treat all who appear before them with basic dignity and respect. No hurdle will stop me. WebStrong entrepreneurship professional with a BA (Hons) in Modern History and Politics from Queen's University Belfast. This content is intended for editorial use only. Inslee Appoints Judge G. Helen Whitener to the Washington State Supreme Court, Seattle University School of Law: See Photos. The address on file for this person is 7403 Lakewood Dr W Ste 8, Lakewood, WA 98499 in Pierce County. My father was service oriented. The following people recently filed Financial Affairs Disclosure (F1) reports with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission. Editor: kirstena@wsba.org This past fall,she participated in a campaignto prevent the National Association of Women Judges from holding conferences in areas where laws discriminate against people "on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression." Im so marginalized, that I try to see similarities more than differences, she said. endobj Whitener has raised $68,00 in cash and in-kind contributions, according to filings with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission in early October. In 2021, she was named Public Official of the Year by The Evergreen State Colleges Master of Public Administration Program and received the Judge of the Year Award from the Western Region of the National Black Law Students Association. Lynn Rainey has been practicing law since 1977. See Photos. Justice G. Helen Whitener was appointed to the Washington State Supreme Court in April 2020 and she was elected by the voters to retain her position on the State Supreme Court in November 2020. Memoriam Deceased Graduates - Florida Southern She first began her judicial career as a judge for the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals in 2013 and held that position until joining the Superior Court bench two years later. Ananti-LGBTQ law in the country meant same-sex couples could face up to 25 years in prison. LHM: Isnt it automatic that once you open the door for someone, that person is included at the table?