Retired Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary E. Fairhurst, 1957–2021: A Loss for the Legal Community
Everything is a miracle. Every day is a miracle. Let’s not waste the days we have. Working individually and together on behalf of those that we faithfully serve, we can and are making a difference. Together we will not fail. We can change the world to be what we want it to be. And we must ensure that all who seek justice find it. — Chief Justice Mary E. Fairhurst, State of the Judiciary Address, Jan. 16, 2019
On December 28th the Washington State Law Library lost one of its biggest champions, retired Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary E. Fairhurst. Initially diagnosed with cancer in 2008, Fairhurst succumbed to a third bout of the disease at home surrounded by her family. Upon her most recent diagnosis, with her trademark positivity she pronounced, “I don’t see it as a death sentence. . . . I see it as a license to live.” She retired from the bench in January 2020 to focus on her health.
Fairhurst was a proud Zag, graduating from Gonzaga University with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga in 1984, graduating magna cum laude. After law school she clerked for Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Williams and then Justice William Cassius Goodloe, followed by 16 years working in the State Attorney General’s Office. Fairhurst won election to the State Supreme Court bench in 2002, filling the position of retiring Justice Charles Z. Smith. Her victory created the first female Supreme Court majority in state history, setting the stage for a future more diverse State Supreme Court.
Fairhurst accomplished much during her illustrious career. She was the second woman to serve as Washington State Bar Association president, the first public sector attorney to do so. She also had a passion for strengthening civics education in the state, sponsoring the launch of the state’s Civic Learning Initiative. She was recognized with countless awards for her service including the Washington Women Lawyers President’s Award and the Attorney General’s Steward of Justice Award. During her tenure on the bench Fairhurst authored the landmark death penalty case State v. Gregory, 192 Wn.2d 1 (2018) and wrote a sharp dissent in the court’s gay marriage case, Andersen v. King County, 158 Wn.2d 1 (2006). She also launched the Board of Judicial Administration Interpreter Services Funding Task Force.
In a statement issued by the court after her death, her former colleagues reflected on their time working with Fairhurst, describing her as sincere, authentic, loving, and courageous. Of the late Chief Justice, State Law Librarian Rob Mead said, “Chief Justice Fairhurst was a wonderful leader for the library. She sought input from staff, brought us together during conflict, and valued everyone’s thoughts and concerns. She epitomized servant leadership and was a great example of showing empathy and love while leading through issues and getting things done.” She will be missed by her Temple of Justice family, the legal community, and her family and friends.
For more on Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst and her support for the State Law Library see our post Saying Goodbye to Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst. (SC)
