Judge Whitener recently returned from participating on several discussion panels at the Black Women Rise National Conference in Florida. As part of that conference, Judge Whitener performed an individual presentation titled “Color of Justice: coding an imperfect criminal justice paradigm.” Judge Whitener discussed Domestic Violence cases, Drug Cases, Sex cases and Class A felonies and how they impact the lives of women of color.
Women came from more than 20 states, D.C., and Canada. There were doctors, lawyers, ministers, entertainers, advocates, teachers and students in attendance. Judge Whitener stated “it was an honor to participate in such an empowering event where many of the topics discussed have an impact on women, particularly women of color.”
Congratulations to Judge Whitener for the honor you bring to Pierce County Superior Court. Thank you for your dedication to the cause of justice, and for continuing to engage in dialogue addressing the difficult issue of racial bias/disparity within the criminal justice system.
Judge Whitener was appointed to the Pierce County Superior Court, Department 11 in 2015 by Governor Inslee. Prior to joining the Pierce County Superior Court, Judge Whitener was an Industrial Insurance Appeals Judge from 2013-2015. Judge Whitener held several Prosecuting Attorney positions and worked for the Department of Assigned Counsel from 1999 through 2005 until she became managing partner at Whitener Rainey Writt PS. She is a member of the International Association of Women Judges, the National Association of Women Judges, and Washington Women Lawyers. Judge Whitener is a national and international speaker on Access to Justice and Human Rights. She is a graduate of the Seattle University School of Law with a Juris Doctor.