Gov. Jay Inslee announced he is appointing Judge Robert Lawrence-Berrey, Jr. to the Division III Court of Appeals, District II.

Lawrence-Berrey is currently a Yakima Superior Court Judge, a position he’s held since January 2011. He has more than 20 years of legal experience during which Lawrence-Berrey briefed and argued more than 40 appellate cases, most of them in Division III. He served as President of the Yakima County Bar Association and has volunteered extensively for legal and non-legal organizations throughout Central Washington.

“Judge Lawrence-Berrey is a highly-respected leader in the law community with broad experience both on and off the bench,” Inslee said. “His appellate experience is particularly noteworthy and I know he’ll be a great addition to our appeals court.”

Lawrence-Berrey is replacing retiring Judge Teresa Kulik who has served with distinction since 2006. Lawrence-Berrey’s term is effective March 1.