OLYMPIA – Today Governor Bob Ferguson announced the appointment of Haley Wolcott Sebens to the position of Skagit County Superior Court Judge. Sebens’ appointment, effective January 1, fills the new position created by a law signed by Governor Ferguson earlier this year. This is the first new position added to the Skagit County Superior Court since 2006.
Sebens is a judicial officer and longtime litigator with over 16 years of legal experience. She has served as a Skagit County Superior Court Commissioner since January 2025. As a Commissioner, she presides over court calendars including domestic and family law, child welfare and dependencies, at-risk youth, guardianship, probate and estate cases. She serves on the Superior Court Judges Association Family and Juvenile Law Committee and the Minor Guardianship Committee.
“Haley Wolcott Sebens has demonstrated a strong commitment to serving Skagit residents,” Governor Ferguson said. “Her passion, legal expertise and deep knowledge of the Skagit County Superior Court make her an excellent addition to the bench.”
“I am grateful to Governor Ferguson for this appointment,” Sebens said. “Having spent my entire legal career in Skagit, I am honored to step into this role, and look forward to continued service to our community.”
Sebens worked in the Skagit County Prosecutor’s Office for over 10 years, including as Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. There, she specialized in felony crimes involving women and children, including domestic violence, and sexual and special assault cases. She led the Skagit County multi-disciplinary team focused on local intra-agency coordination of cases involving child physical and sexual abuse and served on the Skagit County Domestic Violence Task Force. She also handled felony cases including homicides, property crimes, narcotics and felony traffic cases.
As a trial attorney, Sebens handled over 80 jury trials. She argued and handled cases at the Washington State Court of Appeals and the Washington Supreme Court. Sebens also regularly presented and trained at prosecutor and trial attorney conferences across the state.
Sebens previously worked as a Skagit County Public Defender handing gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor criminal cases, as well as representing parents involved in the child welfare system.
Prior to being appointed as Commissioner, Sebens acted as judge pro tem for municipal and district courts including Snohomish District Court, City of Ferndale and City of Lynnwood.
Sebens is an active member of Burlington Rotary, the Big W Club, Teen Court and the PTA, and a 2024 Leadership Skagit graduate. She regularly mentors youth in the community, facilitating interest in the legal profession.
Sebens resides in Skagit Valley with her husband and two busy children.
Sebens earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and competed for several years as a student-athlete. She graduated from Gonzaga Law School, where she served as an editor of the Gonzaga Law Review.
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