"The next judge in Bremerton will be facing some major challenges rebuilding the trust of the community and the trust of the parties and attorneys who appear in court. I am prepared to ensure the court runs smoothly, and I have the leadership and temperament to work with the staff, attorneys, community, and city leaders to get the court back to where it should be.
The residents of Bremerton and all who come to the
court deserve nothing less.”
I'm Steve King
and I'm running
to be your
Bremerton Municipal
Court Judge.
EXPERIENCE
2023 - Present
Corporate Counsel
PENINSULA COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES
In his role as Corporate Counsel, Steve directly reports to the General Counsel and is responsible for:
-
Advising Senior Leadership on employment, labor, housing, construction, Landlord-Tenant, land use, and intellectual property law.
-
Overseeing outside counsel, construction projects, and housing programs.
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Contracts with vendors.
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Draft internal policies and procedures as well as Standards of Practice.
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Assisting in creation and roll out of a Medical-Legal Partnership Program;
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Researching and drafting internal legal memoranda; and
-
Court appearances.
2016 - 2022
Judge Pro Tempore
MUNICIPAL COURT: CITY OF GIG HARBOR
As Judge Pro Tempore, Steve presided over all matters heard in City of Gig Harbor municipal court, including criminal jury trials, criminal hearings, domestic violence protection order hearings, anti-harassment order hearings, and traffic infractions.
2011 - 2023
Solo Practitioner
LAW OFFICES OF STEPHEN T. KING
In private practice, Steve worked as a misdemeanor public defense contract attorney and criminal defense attorney at Superior, District, Municipal and Juvenile courts. His practice also included
guardianship/conservatorship law, appointments as attorney on behalf of respondents/alleged incapacitated persons, court visitor/guardian ad Litem, estate planning and probate, and contract attorney for collections.
2006 - 2019
MUNICIPAL COURT: CITY OF BREMERTON
Judge Pro Tempore
As Judge Pro Tempore, Steve presided over all matters heard in City of Bremerton municipal court, including criminal jury trials, criminal hearings, domestic violence protection order hearings, anti-harassment order hearings, and traffic infractions.
2005 - 2011
Founding Partner
TYNER, KING & THIMONS, PLLP
As a founding partner, Steve's work included domestic relations, and criminal defense at Superior, District, Municipal and Juvenile courts. His practice also included estate planning, probate, landlord-tenant, involuntary mental health commitment public defense, and Family Law in Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Court. Steve was a Juvenile Individualized Treatment Court defense attorney from 2006 to 2009.
2002 - 2005
Solo Practitioner
LAW OFFICES OF STEPHEN T. KING
In private practice, Steve practiced domestic relations, estate planning, landlord-tenant, low-income housing representation, and bankruptcy law. His practice also included criminal defense at Superior, District, Municipal and Juvenile court, and involuntary mental health commitment public defense.
2000 - 2002
Associate, Attorney at Law
HENDERSON, JONES & SHORT
As an associate, Steve's general practice consisted of domestic relations and landlord-tenant law, including representation of low-income individuals through the Northwest Justice Project Contract Attorney Program, elder law through the Kitsap County Division of Aging and Long-Term Care, estate planning, and involuntary mental health commitment public defense. He practice in Superior, District, and Juvenile courts.
EDUCATION
1999
Juris Doctor
SEATTLE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
Trustee Scholarship Recipient, 1996-1997
1985
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor of Music, 1985
Bachelor of Music Education, 1984
AWARDS & SERVICE
2018
Kitsap County
Bar Association
Professionalism Award
2005
Washington State
Bar Association
Young Lawyers Division Thomas Neville
Pro Bono Award
2004
Kitsap Legal
Services
Attorney of the Year
2000 - 2019
2006 - 2010
2003 - 2005
2002 - 2008
2000 - 2005
KITSAP LEGAL SERVICES
Volunteer Attorney
KITSAP COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
Trustee
KITSAP COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION
Chair and founding member
WASHINGTON STATE BAR ASSOCIATION
Lawyer’s Assistance Program Standing Committee, Co-Chair
Member
WASHINGTON STATE BAR ASSOCIATION,
YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION
Trustee, Peninsula District, Long Range Planning Committee
Presenter, Practice Conditions Forum
Practice Conditions Forum committee
Co-Chair, Bridging the Gap Conference
LICENSES
Washington State Bar Association
No. 29999
Admitted to practice June 6, 2000
Federal Bar Association of
Western Washington
Admitted to practice 2000
Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Court
Admitted to practice 2009
WHY STEVE
EXPERIENCE
Steve has 19 years of combined experience as a judge pro tem for Bremerton Municipal Court and Gig Harbor Municipal Court. In that time, he earned a reputation for being fair while still holding parties accountable for their actions. He is known and respected for treating court staff, attorneys, and parties appearing before the court with respect and patience.
As a judge pro tem, Steve handled the entire breadth of cases in those courts, from traffic tickets to jury trials.
PROFESSIONALISM
A 28-year resident of Washington, Steve has practiced law in Bremerton, Kitsap County, and throughout the state since his graduation from Seattle University School of Law in 1999. As an experienced Washington state attorney, Steve has broad experience in the courtroom, as a negotiator, and in working with people from all walks of life across a wide variety of legal issues.
Steve has been recognized in legal communities locally and state-wide for his professionalism, his pro bono work, and his willingness to mentor new lawyers. Steve has served on various Boards and committees for both the state and local bar associations and has
spoken at conferences around the state.
Currently, Steve serves on the Board of Directors of Kitsap Legal Aid Services
in Bremerton.
VOICE FOR ALL
Throughout his legal career, Steve has focused on providing representation to those who often do not have a voice in the justice system, including victims of domestic violence in family law proceedings, those facing involuntary mental illness treatment, as well as individuals and families in guardianships and conservatorships.
A significant portion of Steve’s private practice was devoted to representing indigent defendants as a contract public defender with Kitsap County, primarily in District Court, where Steve was one of the most experienced and respected attorneys. Most recently, Steve has provided legal services to the patients of Peninsula Community Health Services (PCHS) through their Legal Services Program, while also serving as Corporate Counsel for PCHS.
Originally from Colorado, Steve holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Music Education and Music Performance from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Before moving to Tacoma to study law, Steve taught music in the public schools in the Denver suburbs and in his hometown of Longmont. Steve has lived on the Kitsap Peninsula since 2000. He currently resides in Poulsbo with his fiancé Megan, and Nala, their senior rescue cat.
