Seattle, Washington – October 1, 2014: Washington State Veterans Bar Association announced today that it has evaluated Lt. Col. John Fairgrieve for Clark County Superior Court Judge and considers him to be “Extremely Well Qualified“ for the position. Mr. Fairgrieve has demonstrated a strong commitment to veteran's issues and policies that advocate improving the lives of Washington State's 650,000 veterans.

John Fairgieve served in the United States Marine Corps from 1983-2013. Mr. Fairgrieve was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Marine Corps in August 1983 and served as a platoon commander for rifle and reconnaissance platoons in the First Marine Division as well as serving as the officer in charge of a reconnaissance detachment during a six-month deployment to the western pacific.

He was subsequently transferred to the instructor staff of the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center where he ultimately served as the OIC of the Mountain Leader Program and was a member of the successful 1990 USMC/British Royal Marine Mt. McKinley climbing expedition. Mr. Fairgrieve resigned his active duty commission in 1990 to attend law school at the University of Oregon but stayed involved in the Marine Corps Reserve, serving with the 6th Bridge Company in Eugene, OR including serving as its commanding officer from 1993-1995. As a major he served on the staff of the 6th Engineer Support Battalion in Portland, OR from 1995-1998, eventually becoming its operations officer.

In 1998 Major Fairgrieve was transferred to Detachment, Fourth Force Reconnaissance Company in Reno, NV where he served as officer in charge until 2001. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel and served briefly as a staff officer for a reserve unit at Camp Pendleton, CA before serving as the commanding officer of Fourth Force Reconnaissance Company in Kaneohe Bay, HI from 2002-2004. As a colonel he attended the US Army War College from 2005-2007, graduating with a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies. Colonel Fairgrieve retired from the US Marine Corps Reserve in March of 2013. His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two stars in lieu of subsequent awards and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

The WSVBA judicial evaluation committee has unanimously rated Col. Fairgreve with a rating of Exceptionally well qualified and will continue to advocate for his candidacy in any way possible.

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About Washington State Veterans Bar Association

Washington State Veterans Bar Association (WSVBA) is a networking organization for attorneys and law students who have served in the United States Armed Forces. We are a non-partisan and veteran-centric organization. We seek to provide a voice for the 650,000 veterans of Washington State and address legal, political, and social issues facing veterans and their families.