In Memoriam: Judge Paul Feinsod

1997 to 1999

Judge Paul Feinsod died after a brief illness on Feb. 14, 1999. He brought clear thinking, fairness, and compassion to his work on the Board of Ethics. His many contributions and dedication to public service will be long remembered.

Paul Feinsod was an Industrial Appeals Judge with the Washington Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals since 1988. He previously was associated with the Seattle law firm of Betts, Patterson & Mines, where he specialized in litigation, labor and employment law, and mediation. Judge Feinsod also served as a hearings examiner for the Higher Education Personnel Board from 1985-88, and as a law clerk to the Honorable Barbara Durham in the Washington Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.

Paul Feinsod was a founding director of the King County Dispute Resolution Center, and was the organization's president in 1987-88. Judge Feinsod had been an arbitrator and mediator since 1979, and had written and lectured extensively on Alternative Dispute Resolution. He was an adjunct faculty member at the University of Washington School of Law and at Western Washington University.

Paul Feinsod received his J.D. degree from the University of Washington in 1982 and his Ph.D. degree in Communication Studies from Northwestern University in 1986. He was appointed to the King County Board of Ethics by County Executive Ron Sims in 1997.