Elizabeth Yost Neidzwski - Skagit County Superior Court Judge

Personal background

I graduated from Anacortes High School, Western Washington University and Washington and Lee University School of Law. I come from a large, close-knit family that taught me the values of hard work and service to our community. My husband and I have two wonderful children and two dogs.

Qualifying experiences

As a senior deputy defender with the Skagit County Public Defender’s Office, I am an experienced trial attorney with a background in both civil and criminal law.

I previously served as a law clerk in Skagit County Superior Court, where I worked on every type of case that comes before the court. I currently supervise our juvenile, mental health and parents’ representation units.

I work closely with people from all backgrounds, many of whom struggle with mental health issues, have been victims of crime and are unable to afford housing.

I have seen the devastation of chemical dependency and have celebrated sobriety and stability with clients and their families.

I also serve as vice-president of the Northwest Justice Project board, which provides civil legal assistance to low-income people in cases affecting basic human needs impacting family safety and security.

Why are you running for office?

I am running for judge because it is important our judges understand the struggles our community members face every day. I have seen these struggles, worked closely with the people facing them and community partners to find solutions and advocated for equitable justice for all throughout my career. In a county as tightly connected as Skagit, the struggles of one truly do have an impact on us all.

A great judge in history you admire; why?

Of the many judges I have admired, one who stands out is our local retired Skagit County Superior Court Judge Susan Cook. I am fortunate to have served under and practiced law in front of Judge Cook. She is one of the smartest people I know and a model of judicial integrity, grace and courage. I have watched her dig into complicated issues and make difficult decisions, always striving for justice under the law. I believe our judges should be non-partisan and fair arbiters of the law and I hope to follow in that mold if elected.

Court organizational changes that are needed to ensure justice for all appearing in your court

COVID-19 has changed the way we conduct business in Superior Court. We have converted many hearings to telephonic or virtual. This creates new challenges for those without stable cellular and internet access. Imagine calling in for a mandatory court hearing yet running out of cell phone minutes before your case is called and not having the resources to purchase more. Our courts need to be nimble and creative in adapting to technology, to ensure our courts are as accessible as possible, for the entire community