A Skagit County Superior Court commissioner has been selected to fill the county’s first new judicial seat since 2006. Governor Bob Ferguson named Haley Wolcott Sebens to the position, which will become active on January 1, 2027. The expansion from four to five judges was authorized by legislation passed earlier this year.
Sebens has held her current role as a court commissioner since January 2025. In that capacity, she has presided over matters related to family law, child welfare, guardianship, probate, and cases involving at-risk youth.
Prior to her appointment as a commissioner, the new judge spent over 10 years working in the Skagit County Prosecutor’s Office, where she served as a senior deputy prosecuting attorney. During that tenure, her caseload included felony prosecutions involving women and children, with a specific focus on domestic violence and sexual assault. She also managed homicide cases and other felony trials.
According to the governor’s office, the appointee brings more than 16 years of legal experience to the bench. As a trial attorney, she has conducted more than 80 jury trials. Earlier in her career, she also served as a public defender in Skagit County. Her professional background includes expertise in criminal law, dependency proceedings, juvenile court, and treatment courts.
“I am grateful to Governor Ferguson for this appointment,” the new judge stated in the official announcement.
Sebens completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Washington and earned her law degree from Gonzaga Law School.