Theo Angelis appointed to Washington State Supreme Court
By Griffin Beach on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has appointed Theo Angelis to the State Supreme Court, replacing Justice Barbara Madsen who will retire in April.
Angelis has 25 years of legal experience and is currently working on appellate work, intellectual property litigation, and general litigation as a partner at K&L Gates, an international law firm with an office in Seattle. He is a past president of the Middle Eastern Legal Association of Washington and is the first justice of Middle Eastern decent to be appointed to the court.
Angelis has degrees from Claremont McKenna College, the London School of Economics, Oxford University, and Yale Law School. He clerked on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
“Theo’s impressive qualifications and accomplishments speak for themselves,” Ferguson said. “His colleagues praise his legal expertise, humility and integrity. Even opposing counsel who faced him in court describe Theo as ‘the smartest lawyer I’ve ever faced,’ and a decent, honorable person. He will serve the people of Washington well on our highest court.”
Madsen has served in the Washington Supreme Court since 1993, she served as Chief Justice from 2010-2017.
This is Ferguson’s second Supreme Court Appointment, he appointed Colleen Melody in November 2025 to replace Justice Mary Yu.
Photo of Theo Angelis from Gov. Bob Ferguson’s office
