EPHRATA — Governor Bob Ferguson appointed Tyson R. Hill to the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division III, marking the governor's inaugural appellate judgeship appointment since taking office in January. This appointment, effective Jan. 1, 2026, comes as Division III Judge George Fearing prepares for retirement on the same date. 

Fearing announced his retirement in July of this year. 

Tyson Hill brings more than two decades of legal experience to the appellate court, including stints as a superior court and district court judge, as well as a long career in prosecution and appellate law. Currently serving as a Grant County Superior Court Judge in Ephrata, Hill has held this position since 2021, when he was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee. He later ran for a full term, which began in 2024. 

“Judge Hill will be an excellent addition to Division III of the Court of Appeals,” Ferguson said in a statement. “His commitment to our justice system, combined with his broad legal experience, will serve Washingtonians well.”  

Hill expressed gratitude for the appointment.  

“I am grateful to the Governor and to all those who have supported me over the years,” he said. “Serving as a judge can be challenging, but I am passionate about our justice system. I look forward to transitioning from a referee on the field to a replay official in the booth.” 

Before his tenure on the Superior Court bench, Hill served for more than seven years as a district court judge, presiding over hundreds of civil and criminal cases annually.  

Hill said his experience as the lead appellate attorney in the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office allowed him to argue cases before Division III and the Washington State Supreme Court, where he dealt with various felony cases, including murder and arson.   

Hill’s academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a law degree from the University of Washington. His early career included a clerkship for Justice James M. Johnson of the Washington State Supreme Court and consulting work for the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.  

Hill said he is looking forward to the new opportunity but will miss certain aspects of his current role. 

“I feel a combination of feelings, including thrilled, because this is what I have always wanted to do ever since I clerked. There is going to be a lot about what I do right now that I am going to miss, particularly the people and also doing jury trials,” Hill said. “I am going to miss even the small things. Across from the courthouse, there’s a church that plays bells every hour and I am going to miss hearing that, but I am excited for the new adventure.”  

Hill said the appellate role will be different from his current position.  

“The Court of Appeals is like the unseen referee, up in the booth, reviewing cases,” Hill said. “Every case in Eastern Washington that goes to trial or where there is a final order can be appealed.”  

He said the position involves extensive reading and writing, ensuring alignment with the law and upholding Constitutional principles. 

When asked about the difference between trial court and appellate court work, Hill noted, “In trial court, there are so many cases that are getting pushed through quickly, necessitating decisions under time constraints and distractions. In my new role, I will have more time to examine the issues and ensure that laws are followed correctly, which is ultimately more substantive work.” 

Hill says he recognizes the weight of responsibility that comes with his new position, especially representing Grant County. Hill will be the first judge from Grant County in the Court of Appeals Division III, which covers several Eastern Washington counties, with only three other judges holding the position before him. 

“I feel pressured, because I want to do a good job. Grant County has a lot of wonderful people and hardworking attorneys and judges, and I just want to make sure I'm representing everybody well,” he said. 

Hill said he was initially interested in a business law career, but that shifted after he was exposed to criminal practice during law school. 

“The first time I opened a criminal law textbook, I was absolutely hooked. It’s the consistency of applying the law that gives everyone confidence in the justice system,” he said. 

Looking ahead, Hill said he hopes to cultivate a reputation as a fair and thoughtful judge.  

“I have no agenda other than to review what the trial courts are doing and ensure that our system is working properly,” he said. 

As Hill prepares to take on his new responsibilities, he said he aims to continue his commitment to justice and the people of Washington. 

“I think the people here in Grant County really do deserve the best judges,” Hill said. “We can give them a system that they can trust, and I have really appreciated my time in this role. I have spent many nights getting 2 a.m. search warrant calls and reviewing cases. I have and will continue to do what I can to have people feel safe and secure in this country.” 

    Grant County Superior Court Judge Tyson R. Hill said when he isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his three sons and wife. From left to right are his sons Kallen, Weston and Liam.