Ballotpedia, Sheryl McCloud

Sheryl holds a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a law degree from the University of Southern California School of Law. 

Sheryl previously served as Counsel to Governor James A. Smith, Jr. and worked as a public defender and appellate lawyer. She also worked as an adjunct professor at Seattle University School of Law. She is a founding member of the Washington Appellate Lawyers Association.

Sheryl Gordon McCloud currently serves as a judge in Position 9 of the Washington Supreme Court. She was first elected in 2012 and is serving her second term. She serves as co-chair of the Court’s Gender & Justice Commission. 

As a state supreme court justice for 11 years, decides which cases the court will grant review of, evaluates questions of constitutional law, wrongful imprisonment cases, capital felonies, election contests, and the state’s use of the death penalty. The justice ensures that lower courts apply the law correctly, allows certain cases to be retried, and provides final interpretations of state law.

As a public defender, provided legal counsel and representation to juveniles and criminal defendants who were unable to hire an attorney.

As an appellate attorney, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.

Serves as the Court's liaison to the Washington State Bar's Council on Public Defense.

- As a state supreme court justice for 11 years, decides which cases the court will grant review of, evaluates questions of constitutional law, wrongful imprisonment cases, capital felonies, election contests, and the state’s use of the death penalty. The justice ensures that lower courts apply the law correctly, allows certain cases to be retried, and provides final interpretations of state law.
- As a public defender, provided legal counsel and representation to juveniles and criminal defendants who were unable to hire an attorney.
- As an appellate attorney, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.
- Serves as the Court's liaison to the Washington State Bar's Council on Public Defense.

Legal Experience

Believes "constitutional rights matter" and is committed to protecting constitutional and civil rights.

Holds protecting constitutional rights as her primary focus as a member of the Supreme Court. 

- Holds protecting constitutional rights as her primary focus as a member of the Supreme Court. 

Judicial Philosophy

As a state supreme court justice, authored the decision in State v. Arlene’s Flowers, which found that Washington’s Law Against Discrimination protects the rights of a gay couple to purchase flowers from a publicly accessible florist, regardless of the florist’s religious beliefs.

As a state supreme court justice, authored the decision in State v. Arlene’s Flowers, which protects the rights of gay couples to purchase items from stores open to the public, regardless of the beliefs of any store employee.

- As a state supreme court justice, authored the decision in State v. Arlene’s Flowers, which protects the rights of gay couples to purchase items from stores open to the public, regardless of the beliefs of any store employee.

Judicial Administration

As of October 7, 2024, Sheryl Gordon McCloud’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Sheryl Gordon McCloud

As of October 8, 2024, Sheryl Gordon McCloud’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Sheryl Gordon McCloud was elected to the Washington Supreme Court in 2012 and re-elected in 2018. She previously served as Counsel to Governor James A. Smith, Jr. and worked with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. She also held a teaching role at Seattle University School of Law.

As a Supreme Court Justice, co-chaired the Court’s Gender & Justice Commission.

Worked as a college and career specialist.

Published articles and spoken to legal and community groups on topics ranging from ethics to representation of indigent clients.

As a lawyer, served clients across the state for over 25 years.

Believes in the importance of judicial independence and accountability, as demonstrated by his 2018 re-election.

Believes in maintaining judicial independence.

Believes in upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice is served fairly and impartially.

Believes in upholding the law and ensuring justice is served fairly and impartially.

Believes in a fair and impartial judiciary, upholding the rule of law and protecting individual rights.

Believes in upholding the principle of judicial restraint, saying, "My track record as a Justice shows that my commitment to this principle remains unshakable."

Supports the Washington State Department of Corrections.

As a state prosecutor, worked with the governor's office on clemency petitions and criminal justice policy.

Supports the use of alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation and arbitration, to reduce the burden on the court system and provide faster, more cost-effective solutions for individuals and businesses.

Believes in the importance of judicial administration, and as a Washington State Supreme Court Justice since 2012, has upheld the rule of law and ensured the fair application of justice in the state.

Said, "I remain committed to serving as a Justice and to protecting our constitutional and civil rights."

Believes in the importance of judicial administration, saying, "For that reason, I ran this year for re-election."

Supports judicial decisions that uphold constitutional and individual rights, citing her authorship of the 2017 decision in State v. Arlene’s Flowers, which protects discrimination.

Serves as a member of the Northwest Washington Central Labor Council.

Member of the Washington State Council of Firefighters.

Member of the International Association of Machinists.

Volunteers with the American Red Cross, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Endorsed by the Washington Federation of State Employees/AFSCME.

Member of the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington.

Affiliated with the Spokane Regional Labor Council.

- The Washington State Supreme Court has nine justices and serves as the final authority on the Washington Constitution and Washington law.
- They interpret laws, review appeals, and issue opinions on cases. They also establish court rules, oversee legal practice, and hear significant public interest cases.
- A candidate must be licensed to practice in Washington to be elected into this office. Justices must retire at the age 75. 
- Justices are elected for six-year terms in nonpartisan elections. Vacancies can be filled by the governor's appointment, with staggered elections ensuring that only some justices are elected each year.
- The chief justice earns $255,495 and associate justices earn $251,8613 per year.

Washington Supreme Court Justice

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