Former Bar President and JAG Officer Thomas P. Quinlan Seeks Superior Court Position

Thomas P. Quinlan, who recently served as President of the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, has declared his candidacy for Pierce County Superior Court Judge. In his announcement, Quinlan discussed his ethic of service as his motivation to run. 

Said Quinlan: “In both my personal and professional life, I strive to give back to and serve the community-to make a difference in people’s lives. That’s what drove me to be commissioned in the Army and serve as a Judge Advocate; and, it is why I enjoy my pro bono legal work with a non-profit charity that protects child victims of trafficking and abandonment. A Judge with diverse experience that is fair and transparent is critical to the Superior Court and our community. That is why I’m running.” 

Quinlan has practiced law in Pierce County for nearly 25 years, and has experience in all matters heard by a Superior Court judges. He is widely acclaimed by his colleagues for his integrity, professionalism, and knowledge of the law. In fact, when attorneys and judges need legal representation, Tom Quinlan is regularly the person they trust. 

Quinlan’s judicial temperament has already earned him appointment as a Commissioner pro tem on the Pierce County Superior Court, as well as pro tem in municipal court judgeships in Pierce County. He brings diversity of experience and balance to the position, having worked on both criminal and civil matters, including prosecuting crimes in the military. 

Along with his announcement, Quinlan released a list of Judges, community leaders and attorneys who have already endorsed his campaign. Endorsing Quinlan, Washington Supreme Court Associate Chief Justice Charles W. Johnson wrote: “Tom has the distinction of having had a diverse law practice, with exceptional practical experience in all matters that are routinely addressed by the Superior Court. He has a broad base of knowledge of the law and rules of evidence and procedure. These experiences make him uniquely qualified to serve the community as a Superior Court Judge.” Some of his supporters include: County Councilmembers Derek Young, Rick Talbert, and Doug Richardson, State Representative David Sawyer and former Councilmember Stan Flemming, among many others. 

Tom has three adult children; he and his wife Susan live in Gig Harbor. They are both active in the community through environmental stewardship programs and charitable organizations, such as South Sound CARE, which helps fund research to cure cancer.