PRESS RELEASE
December 28, 2020
RETIREMENT OF JUDGE JACK NEVIN
Pierce County Supe
rior Court is announcing the retirement of Judge Jack Nevin after more than 36 years serving the citizens of Pierce County. Judge Nevin’s last day will be December 31, 2020.
Judge Nevin was born at Fort Lawton, WA, a former U.S. Army post located in Seattle. Judge Nevin grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a young man he studied classical piano for seven years and competed in high school athletics.
Judge Nevin graduated from Washington State University in 1973. There, he participated in track and field and enrolled in the Army ROTC program. During college, he earned three varsity letters in track and field, and competed as a hammer thrower.
In 1978 he graduated from Gonzaga University with a Master of Science, Master of Business Administration and Law Degrees. That same year, Judge Nevin began active duty in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, serving three years at Fort Lewis, Washington. After leaving active duty in 1981, he joined the law firm of Davies Pearson Anderson in Tacoma. In 1984 he joined the Pierce County Prosecutors Office as a Felony Deputy Prosecutor, initially focusing on white collar crime. In 1996 Judge Nevin was appointed to Pierce County District Court where he served until December 2012. In 2013 Judge Nevin was elected to the Pierce County Superior Court Department 6. During his eight years as a Superior Court judge, he presided over cases ranging from complex civil litigation to Aggravated Murder.
Judge Nevin also remained active in the United States Army Reserve, serving numerous tours of duty around the world. In 2004 he was promoted to Brigadier General where he served as the Commanding General of the US Army Reserve Legal Command and senior Judge Advocate in the Army Reserve. Upon retirement in 2009 he was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal. During his Army career Judge Nevin performed duties in Europe, Central America, South America, Asia and Africa.
In a civilian capacity, Judge Nevin assisted the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina in implementing a new criminal code and served as Presiding Judge of the United Nations Detention Review Commission, Kosovo.
During his 24-year judicial career, Judge Nevin devoted substantial time to the improvement of court services and scholarship. In addition to serving on numerous committees and work groups, he taught trial advocacy at Seattle University Law School and judicial education classes for the Superior Court and District/Municipal Court Judge’s Associations. In 2017 he served as Dean of the Washington State Judicial College.
When asked what he will miss most about the court Judge Nevin stated, “without doubt it will be the people, including the judges, and great administrative staff”. “I believe that public service is the highest calling and to be surrounded by colleagues who are singularly focused on this goal has been my greatest privilege”.
In retirement Judge Nevin looks forward to traveling with his wife Cheryl along with golfing and fishing. He will continue teaching at Seattle University and begin teaching at the University of Washington and the National Center for State Courts.
Acting Presiding Judge Phil Sorensen had this to say about Judge Nevin, “Judge Nevin has been a mentor to many of us. Whether you know Jack Nevin as Judge, General, Professor or friend, his impact on those who interact with him has been profound. We will miss his insights and thoughtful approach to solving the problems that all trial judges face daily.”