Robert S. Lasnik
Encyclopedia
Robert S. Lasnik is a United States federal judge
, currently serving as Chief Judge
of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
Born in Staten Island, New York, Lasnik received an A.B.
from Brandeis University
in 1972 and an M.S.
from Northwestern University
in 1973, an M.A.
also from Northwestern University
in 1974, and a J.D.
from the University of Washington School of Law
in 1978. He was a Deputy prosecutor, King County Prosecutor's Office, WA from 1978 to 1981, a Senior deputy prosecutor from 1981 to 1983, and a Chief of staff in that office from 1983 to 1990. He served as a Superior court judge, King County Superior Court, WA from 1990 to 1998.
Lasnik was nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington by President Bill Clinton
on May 11, 1998, to a seat vacated by Carolyn R. Dimmick
. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on October 21, 1998, and received his commission on October 22, 1998. He has served as chief judge since 2004.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
, currently serving as Chief Judge
Chief judge
Chief Judge is a title that can refer to the highest-ranking judge of a court that has more than one judge. The meaning and usage of the term vary from one court system to another...
of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
Born in Staten Island, New York, Lasnik received an A.B.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Brandeis University is an American private research university with a liberal arts focus. It is located in the southwestern corner of Waltham, Massachusetts, nine miles west of Boston. The University has an enrollment of approximately 3,200 undergraduate and 2,100 graduate students. In 2011, it...
in 1972 and an M.S.
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
from Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
in 1973, an M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
also from Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
in 1974, and a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from the University of Washington School of Law
University of Washington School of Law
The University of Washington School of Law is the law school of the University of Washington, located on the northwest corner of the main campus in Seattle, Washington.The most recent 2012 U.S...
in 1978. He was a Deputy prosecutor, King County Prosecutor's Office, WA from 1978 to 1981, a Senior deputy prosecutor from 1981 to 1983, and a Chief of staff in that office from 1983 to 1990. He served as a Superior court judge, King County Superior Court, WA from 1990 to 1998.
Lasnik was nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington by President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
on May 11, 1998, to a seat vacated by Carolyn R. Dimmick
Carolyn R. Dimmick
Carolyn R. Dimmick is a United States federal judge.Born in Seattle, Washington, Dimmick received a B.A. from the University of Washington in 1951 and a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law in 1953...
. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on October 21, 1998, and received his commission on October 22, 1998. He has served as chief judge since 2004.