Justice Sheryl Gordon McCloud was elected to the Washington Supreme Court in 2012 after a career of helping clients fight for their constitutional and individual rights. As a Justice, she serves as a Chair of the Gender and Justice Commission, as a member of the Supreme Court’s Rules Committee, and as the liaison to the Supreme Court’s Pattern Instructions Committee (on which she previously served as a lawyer-member). She is also on the Washington State Bar Association’s Council on Public Defense. She speaks regularly at legal and community events throughout the state on topics ranging from ethics to criminal justice. Justice Gordon McCloud brought a wealth of appellate experience with her; she handled hundreds of cases before the Washington Supreme Court and other appellate courts before she became a judge. She also taught at the Seattle University School of Law and has published several articles. Her legal expertise was recognized by her peers before she joined the bench. For example, she received the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ highest award, the William O. Douglas Award, for “extraordinary courage” in the practice of law. Her commitment to justice is still recognized by her peers now that she has a track record of work as a Justice. In 2015, Washington Women Lawyers King County Chapter honored her with its President’s Award. In 2018, the Cardoza Society of Washington State presented her with its L’Dor V’Dor Award. Justice Gordon McCloud served as Co-Chair of the 2021 Gender Justice Study.