Sal Mungia meets with Walla Walla Democrats

Sal Mungia, a candidate for Associate Justice on the Washington State Supreme Court, was our meeting’s featured speaker. The Walla Walla County Democrats Central Committee has endorsed him for this position.

Sal is opposed by David Larson, a Federal Way Municipal Court Judge. The Washington State Republicans endorse Larson.

Sal was born and raised in Lakewood, Washington. He is the son of working-class parents; his father was a cook in the United States Army and, later, at Western State Hospital in Lakewood. His mother was a seamstress and worked in a fabric store. After graduating from Lakewood’s Clover Park High School in 1977, he attended Pacific Lutheran University, graduating with honors in 1981.

Sal attended Georgetown University Law Center and graduated with honors in 1984. Before entering private practice, Sal was a law clerk for both a justice on the Washington State Supreme Court and a federal district court judge.

In 1986, Sal joined the Tacoma law firm of Gordon Thomas Honeywell. Since then, he has been a trial and appellate attorney representing individuals and businesses in civil lawsuits in state and federal courts.

In his 40 years of practice in Washington’s courtrooms, Sal has consistently been recognized for his exceptional trial skills, legal knowledge, and high ethical standards:

• Recognized by Best Lawyers in America as a Best Lawyer in multiple fields of practice: appellate law, civil rights law, commercial litigation, and personal injury litigation for plaintiffs

• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating (highest possible rating for both ethics and legal ability)

• Member, American Board of Trial Advocates (by invitation only)

• Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (by invitation only)

• Designated as a “Super Lawyer” by Washington Law & Politics Magazine (limited to 5% of the attorneys in Washington State)

• Trial advocacy teacher at Emory School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia

• Instructor for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy

• A speaker at more than 90 continuing legal education programs

Sal has an established track record of commitment to improving the legal profession and the community, and to providing access to justice for people who cannot afford to hire an attorney:

• Past president, Washington State Bar Association

• Past president, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association

• Past president, Western States Bar Conference

• Past chair and former board member, Washington’s Access to Justice Board

• Past chair, Equal Justice Coalition

• Advisory Council member, Endowment for Equal Justice

• Member of Vestry, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Tacoma

• Board member, Pacific Lutheran University Board of Regents

• Cooperating attorney, ACLU of Washington

Sal’s efforts in improving the justice system, including his tireless pro bono legal representation and his work towards improving access to justice have been recognized by multiple organizations:

• 2019: Charles A. Goldmark Distinguished Service Award awarded by the Legal Foundation of Washington. The Goldmark Award recognizes the exceptional leadership of an individual, group, or organization in providing, promoting, or advocating for equal justice for Washington’s low-income individuals, families, and communities.

• 2015: Pro Bono Leadership Award presented by the Tacoma-Pierce County Volunteer Legal Services Program.

• 2011: The Special Contribution to the Judiciary Award was presented by King County Washington Women Lawyers for outstanding contributions to making the judicial system more accessible to all, regardless of economic status.

• 2011: Bradley C. Diggs Award for Outstanding Service presented for pro bono service awarded by Appleseed Washington.