“Pierce County Superior Court Judge Arthur W. Verharen has announced that he intends to retire at the end of this year, bringing an end to a 28-year judicial career. Verharen, who reaches his 60th birthday in September, is Washington State’s senior trial judge.After serving as chief civil deputy under Pierce County Prosecutor Ron Hendry from 1970-72, he was appointed as a District Court judge by county commissioners in 1973. In 1978, he was appointed to the Superior Court bench by Gov. Dixie Lee Ray.Verharen is married to Kitsap County Superior Court Judge Karen Conoley, who also is retiring this year. They have a combined family of seven children and one grandchild.”
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