Hill sworn in as Grant County Superior Court judge
Tyson Hill is sworn in as the new Grant County Superior Court Judge Friday.
Courtesy photo
EPHRATA — New Grant County Superior Court Judge Tyson Hill pledged to give his job the time and attention it needs, as he was sworn in Friday during a virtual ceremony as a county Superior Court judge.
Hill replaces John Antosz, who recently announced his retirement.
Hill was a Grant County District Court judge prior to Gov. Jay Inslee appointing him to the Superior Court bench.
“I will put in all the time and effort that I need to,” Hill said in a short speech after his swearing-in by Washington State Supreme Court Justice Debra Stephens. “I commit to give this (job) everything I have.”
Stephens met Hill while he was working as a state Supreme Court clerk, she said.
“When you (Hill) were a brand new lawyer, I was a brand-new justice,” Stephens said.
Hill said being a judge or an attorney is like being in medicine – the court system is dealing with people in crisis who have come to the courts for help finding a solution.
“They’re looking for us to know our stuff,” he said.
He also wanted people who come before his court to know he’s not perfect.
“I’m going to make mistakes,” he said.
He knows they will happen, he said, and when they do it will be up to the checks and balances in the legal system to help correct them.
Nor is he going to know the law in every situation, he said.
“I will ask for help,” he said.
And when he does, he will hope for and expect “excellent briefing” from the attorneys trying cases before him, he said.
Hill thanked his wife and three sons for their support during his career as a judge. He can -- and has -- been interrupted while at church or on family vacations, at the movies and at family events. His family has remained supportive regardless, he said.
“They have been cheering for me every step of the way,” Hill said.
Hill said he was very appreciative of all the support he received after it was announced he had been appointed to the Superior Court vacancy. He was glad to know so many people thought it was a good choice, he said.