With the announcement by Benton-Franklin County Superior Court Judge Spanner that he will retire at the end of his term, Tri-City attorney and longtime public service volunteer, Shelley Ajax has formally announced that she is running for Benton-Franklin County Superior Court Judge, Position 1. She intends to continue to serve the community as a Benton-Franklin Superior Court Judge in his place. Having served Benton and Franklin counties as an attorney and community volunteer for over 30 years, Ms. Ajax sees the chance to become a judge as a continuation of her service to the community.
Ms. Ajax’s personal story is one of perseverance and commitment to her family and community. As a non-lawyer, Ms. Ajax worked at a civil law firm for 15 years. During that period of time, Ms. Ajax volunteered as a Guardian Ad Litem, protecting young children in our community. After the tragic accidental death of Ms. Ajax’s husband, she attended Washington State University Tri-Cities, where she was chosen to serve as the Chief Justice of the Judicial Board. After graduation, Suma Cum Laude, Ms. Ajax attended Gonzaga School of Law. Ms. Ajax was able to graduate Gonzaga, Cum Laude, all the while raising her young children alone. Upon her return to the Tri Cities from law school, Ms. Ajax started her law firm, founded the Benton-Franklin Young Lawyers Division, and litigated divorce cases for years. For the last 10 years, Ms. Ajax has served the people of Benton and Franklin Counties with her work in private practice and as a public servant in the criminal arena protecting the rights of citizens and upholding the constitution.
In 2005, Ms. Ajax volunteered as the Associate Editor of the Washington Young Lawyers Division De Novo Publication for three years. Ms. Ajax was a member of the Benton-Franklin County Bar Association Board from 2005-2007. From 2006-2009, Ms. Ajax continued her public service as a Benton-Franklin Legal Aid Society Board Member. From 2009 – 2013, Ms. Ajax continued her community volunteer service as the Benton-Franklin Legal Aid Society President. In 2010, Ms, Ajax committed to serving as a volunteer Arbitrator to provide fair and reasonable resolutions to cases to avoid congestion in the already crowded courts. Ms. Ajax continues to voluntarily train and educate fellow attorneys, emphasizing the importance of ethics and Pro Bono opportunities in our community.
In 2006 , Ms. Ajax was awarded the Honoree award from Equal Access to Justice representing Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla counties. In that same year, Ms. Ajax was awarded the Gene Schuster award for pro bono legal services presented by the Benton-Franklin Legal Aid Society. In 2007, Ms. Ajax was awarded the Washington State Bar Association Pro Bono Award.
In 2006 , Ms. Ajax was awarded the Honoree award from Equal Access to Justice representing Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla counties. In that same year, Ms. Ajax was awarded the Gene Schuster award for pro bono legal services presented by the Benton-Franklin Legal Aid Society. In 2007, Ms. Ajax was awarded the Washington State Bar Association Pro Bono Award.
In announcing her candidacy for Benton Franklin County Superior Court Judge, Ms. Ajax stated:
“I would approach cases on the bench fairly and impartially based on the evidence and the law. With my decades of legal experience and volunteer service to the Tri-City community which I love, I am excited and humbled by the chance to continue to serve the best interests of our community as a Benton-Franklin County Superior Court Judge.”
|