Washington Supreme Court
OLYMPIA -- The Washington Supreme Court has named current deputy clerk Ronald Carpenter as the new clerk of the court effective upon the retirement of current clerk Jerry Merritt on Dec. 31. Clerks are responsible for maintaining records, files and documents, preparing the court's calendar and docketing all cases and papers filed. Merritt served as clerk for almost 18 years while Carpenter has served as his deputy for 17 of those years. Under Merritt's term the Washington Supreme Court introduced electronic filing and one-day advance notice on opinion filings, plus simultaneous internet releases of decisions. Carpenter will be the Washington Supreme Court's ninth clerk since achieving statehood. Before joining the court, he served as a municipal court judge, prosecuting attorney and law-firm partner.