BECOMING AND BEING A JUDGE: An Interview with Tacoma Municipal Court Presiding Judge Steve Krupa

By Professor John Weaver, ret. 

As lawyers we are really interested in judges. Of course we are, as if we are litigators, they control our lives. We are just transactional lawyers, we frame our deals and write our documents in light of the opinions they have written. Some of us aspire to be judges. In this magazine we have had stories about people who want to be judges, short articles about judges when they are recently elected or appointed, and usually when they retire. But, what do we know about becoming a judge—getting elected and learning how to be a judge rather than a lawyer. Steve Krupa was a practicing lawyer for 28 years when he became a judge. I decided to ask him about what it was like running for and becoming a judge. My questions and his answers are below. I haven’t edited his remarks. Whether you are thinking about becoming a judge, or merely want to know more about what it’s like to be a judge, I think these remarks will provide some insight. In the interests of space, I’ve shortened some answers and deleted some material about pro-tem judging. But I believe it is safe to say that Judge Krupa’s time as pro-tem judge is what made him decide to become a full-time judge. My questions are in bold. His answers in regular type.

Did you always think you wanted to become a judge?

No. I had never considered becoming a judge until after I left private practice. Frankly, based on what I heard from my friends on the bench, I was put off by the political aspect of the election process and didn’t want any part of it. However, I quickly found that I missed the courtroom and public service, and I recognized the real need that Municipal Court had so I decided to run.

I know you did pro-tem judging; how did that affect your decision to run for judge?

I think pro-tem judging was very important to my decision to run. I was a trial lawyer and was very used to the courtroom, but I needed to see how I would like being on the other side of the bench. To me, being a pro tem is a little like doing pro bono work or taking appointments. It’s not for the money. It’s for giving back to the community and for public service. Of course, it’s also the best way to decide whether a judicial career is for you.

Now turn to some questions about running for judge and then stepping into the role:

What sources and people did you consult about setting up your campaign?

I talked to my friends on the Bench who had been through the process. This is an absolute must. I also read some books about campaigning for local offices and looked at the wealth of information on the web about running for local office in general and for judge in particular.

What were some of the campaign activities that you enjoyed and some that you didn’t?

I loved door-belling and going out and meeting people at festivals, markets and other functions. I also enjoyed meeting with labor and professional organizations.

What would you do differently if you were running for the first time again? 

I can’t think of much I would do differently. I tried to have as much fun as possible and keep a good attitude. Fortunately, I had the luxury of having a fulfilling legal aid job, a good retirement in place, and a loving family behind me. So, while I really wanted to win and believed that I could make a difference, I knew it would be OK if things didn’t work out. I think maybe I would work even harder at getting out and talking to the voters as that was the absolute best part of campaigning.

What kind of additional training did you get before you really settled in and started judging?

All new judges are required to attend Judicial College which is very helpful, especially for those who haven’t had much courtroom experience. Just like attorneys, judges are required to attend continuing education (CJEs) to keep up on issues and sharpen or gain new skills. As noted above, I had done a lot of pro-tem judging so I felt ready to just jump in. I can’t stress how important it is to do pro-tem judging before deciding to run or taking the bench.

How much did that new or additional training add to what you already knew from being a pro-tem?

There were some helpful things. I have to say that having been a trial attorney for as long as I had been also gave me a very strong background on what I needed to know. Frankly I wish there were more training on the administrative side of being a judge (running a court, dealing with personnel, budgeting etc.)

What’s the administrative side of being a judge?

It’s a lot of work! I owned part of a firm for 25 years and I had been in command positions in the military, so I had a lot of administrative experience, but I was surprised at the amount of administrative work a judge has. The Courtroom Judge part of it is just the visible part. There are personnel, budgeting, training, management, technology and a host of other issues that you will be involved in. One thing to remember is that you are now working in, and running, a branch of government so think about all that this would entail before you decide to run for judge. Pro-tem judging does not give you any experience in this aspect of the job.

What’s surprised you most since you became a full-time judge?

I guess I’m a little surprised about how lonely the job is. Maybe "lonely" isn’t the right word. Maybe "isolating" is better. Yes, there are fellow judges who are your good friends and who you can talk to and rely on, but I do miss the comaraderie of the Bar and being one of the people in the trenches.

Now that you’re a judge what would you tell your former self about being a better lawyer?

Hmm, I’m not sure about that one. Maybe have more patience with the judge? Don’t assume that the judge has a handle on everything - they’re human and have lives too. Make sure your arguments are easy to follow and organized.

Some of our readers may be thinking about either pro-tem or full-time judging. What should they be thinking about in making that decision?

First, I would say to make sure you have a good amount of courtroom experience. I’m not sure that you need as many trials as I had, but you need to be familiar with and comfortable in the courtroom. Second, you need to have a firm understanding of the Court Rules and the Rules of Evidence. Third, you need to be able to think on your feet. No one likes a judge who can’t make a decision. Go watch some experienced judges work, especially in contested hearings and trials, and see how they do it. You should also sit in on some of the more pedestrian calendars and make sure your personality is suited for what some might find extremely boring.

As to running for judge, I can tell you that I have heard many judicial candidates say that they wouldn’t wish the process on their worst enemy. The bottom line on a judicial race is: it’s Politics with all that you can imagine that term entails. A lot of exceptionally well qualified attorneys who would make brilliant judges find the process distasteful and would never run. If you keep all of this in perspective and hopefully are running because you believe in public service and want to make a difference, you should be fine. Finally, be aware that running for any office is essentially a full-time job and it will entail considerable out of pocket expense.

 

John Weaver is a retired Professor of Law from Seattle University School of Law. He began teaching at UPS School of Law in 1972. He is a resident of Tacoma and serves as the Law School Liaison to the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association. He is an honorary life-time member of the TPCBA.