Tim has been a member of the Spokane legal community for more than 40 years.

He represented clients in local courtrooms, in the Court of Appeals and also in the Supreme Courts of Washington and Idaho. Over the past eight years, he has been an elected judge in Spokane County Superior Court. First elected in 2016, Tim has spent time in nearly every docket assignment. A hallmark of his efforts is the belief that being a judge requires active listening, legal expertise and a devotion to fairness.

He has presided over cases involving family law, plea and sentencing, unlawful detainer and criminal dockets. In a sign of confidence in his ability to represent the court, his peers recently elected Judge Fennessy as the Presiding Judge of Spokane County Superior Court.

After two terms as a judge, he remains committed to reaching just decisions in all cases. His experience has deepened his knowledge, sharpened his decision-making tools and furthered his respect for the legal process.

Tim and his wife Nelou have two grown children and Calvin, the family dog.

Please vote to reelect Judge Fennessy.

Judicial Experience:

Tim was first elected as a Spokane County Superior Court Judge, Department 11 in 2016 and reelected in 2020.
Judicial assignments included:
Trial Judge:  Civil and Criminal trials-4 years
Plea and Sentencing/Wrongful Detainer/Unassigned Civil Motions-6 months
Family Law Judge-18 months
Chief Criminal Judge-2 years
    Current Presiding Judge

Member of Superior Court Judge’s Association and serving on the following committees:
Education Committee 3 years
Civil Rules Committee 1 year
Criminal Rules Committee 1 year

Legal Experience:

Tim practiced as an attorney for 33 years in Spokane, primarily in private practice specializing in civil matters.     
Extensive deposition/trial/mediation/arbitration experience.   
Trial experience in matters involving catastrophic injury, professional malpractice, contract disputes, eminent domain, construction defects, product liability
Washington State “Super Lawyer” 2011 - 2016

Other Professional Experience:

Arbitrator in Mandatory Mediation Program for Spokane County
Gonzaga Law School Board of Advisors, Member and President
Gonzaga Law School Foundation, Member
Western Trial Advocacy Institute attendee
Trained Mediator through Pepperdine’s Strauss Institute
CLE Lecturer for several sponsored CLE programs
Settlement Guardian ad Litem
Panel Member at WDTL Convention on GR 37 
Panel Member at WSAJ Conference on Peremptory Challenges and GR 37 

Education:

Law Degree - Gonzaga University School of Law
(Thomas More Scholar 1980-1982)

BA with honors in Political Science
Gonzaga University