Kelly Wood Appointed Thurston County Judge

Every factual claim below was checked against the original public record. Source: original document ↗

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  Governor Bob Ferguson appointed Kelly Wood as Thurston County Superior Court Judge“July 01, 2026 Story Body OLYMPIA – Today Governor Bob Ferguson announced the appointment of Kelly Wood to the position of Thurston County Superior Court Judge.”
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  The appointment of Kelly Wood as Thurston County Superior Court Judge is effective July 2“Wood’s appointment, effective July 2, fills the position that Judge Carol Murphy’s resignation will vacate.”
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  Judge Carol Murphy's retirement left a vacancy in Thurston County Superior Court“Wood’s appointment, effective July 2, fills the position that Judge Carol Murphy’s resignation will vacate.”
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  Judge Carol Murphy served 34 years“Judge Murphy retires after 34 years of public service, including 17 years on the Thurston County bench.”
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  Judge Carol Murphy served 17 years on the bench“Judge Murphy retires after 34 years of public service, including 17 years on the Thurston County bench.”
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  Kelly Wood is a 18-year veteran of the Attorney General's Office“He has been with the Attorney General’s Office for 18 years in total.”
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  Kelly Wood has litigated environmental and land use cases for decades“Wood is also recognized nationwide for federal Clean Water Act litigation. He has been with the Attorney General’s Office for 18 years in total. In between his stints at the Attorney General’s Office, Wood spent three years as a litigator at the law firm of Phillips Burgess, PLLC (now Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess), in Olympia. In that role, he represented municipal governments, public and private corporations and individuals in a range of environmental, land use, public records, contracting and municipal law issues.”
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  Kelly Wood previously worked at Phillips Burgess law firm in Olympia“In between his stints at the Attorney General’s Office, Wood spent three years as a litigator at the law firm of Phillips Burgess, PLLC (now Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess), in Olympia.”
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  Governor Ferguson praised Kelly Wood's legal expertise“"Kelly Wood has done extraordinary work litigating some of the most significant issues facing the State of Washington," Governor Ferguson said. "I worked closely with Kelly for many years at the Attorney General’s Office. He is an excellent lawyer and will make an excellent Thurston County judge."”
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  Governor Ferguson stated Kelly Wood 'will make an excellent Thurston County judge'“"Kelly Wood has done extraordinary work litigating some of the most significant issues facing the State of Washington," Governor Ferguson said. "I worked closely with Kelly for many years at the Attorney General’s Office. He is an excellent lawyer and will make an excellent Thurston County judge."”
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  Kelly Wood called the appointment 'humbled and honored'“"I am humbled and honored by this appointment," Wood said.”
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  Kelly Wood committed to uphold the court's tradition of integrity“"I am humbled and honored by this appointment," Wood said. "The Thurston County bench has a long tradition of integrity and rigorous legal analysis, and I am committed to carrying both forward."”
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  Kelly Wood moved to Olympia in 2008“Wood moved to Olympia from Seattle in 2008 and has remained active in the community throughout that time.”
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  Kelly Wood has served on the Washington State Bar Association's Environmental Law Section“Outside the courtroom, Wood served for many years on the executive committee of the Washington State Bar Association’s Environmental and Land Use Law Section, including as Chair.”
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  Kelly Wood volunteered with Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services“He also served as a volunteer attorney at Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services (now Sound Legal Aid), and as the president and vice president of Friends of Capitol Forest, an organization dedicated to improving recreational opportunities in the South Sound area.”
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  Kelly Wood and his wife have two children attending local schools“Wood and his wife, Jocelyn, are also the proud parents of a college sophomore and an Olympia High School junior.”