Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Donald J. Richter to Pacific and Wahkiakum County Superior Court on Dec. 18. He replaces Judge Doug Goelz, who will retired at the end of the year.

Richter spent the past four and a half years as a deputy county prosecutor in Pacific and Cowlitz Counties, most recently working as the chief deputy prosecutor in Pacific County.

Wahkiakum County District Court Judge Heidi Heywood, right, on Monday introduced Donald J. Richter, left, before swearing him in as the county's new superior court judge. Richter replaces Doug Goelz, who retired. Photo courtesy of Dan Bigelow.

An announcement from the governor's office said that in his current role, Richter "has helped stand up and support a successful drug court that benefits both the participants and the community as a whole."

Before that, he worked as a criminal defense attorney and prosecutor in Spokane County. When he worked as a legal intern in the prosecuting attorney's office, Richter performed extensive pro bono work as a member of the Volunteer Lawyer Program, assisting individuals in a broad range of family law matters.

"Don has earned a solid reputation among his peers as a compassionate, thoughtful attorney with a big heart and strong sense of justice," Inslee said in making the announcement. "He has a wealth of trial experience, and I look forward to him continuing his public service in Pacific and Wahkiakum counties."

Richter earned his law degree from Gonzaga University in Spokane and bachelor's degree from Arkansas State University. He is heavily involved in his community in north Pacific County.