PUBLIC NOTICE REAPPOINTMENT OF INCUMBENT FULL-TIME UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT SEATTLE THE HONORABLE MICHELLE L. PETERSON July 16, 2026 The current term of office of full-time United States Magistrate Judge Michelle L. Peterson at Seattle, Washington is due to expire on February 26, 2027. The United States District Court for the Western District of Washington is required by law to establish a panel of citizens to consider the reappointment of Magistrate Judge Peterson to a new eight-year term. The duties of the magistrate judge position include the following: (1) Conduct preliminary proceedings in felony cases; (2) Trial and disposition of petty and misdemeanor cases arising from government facilities in the district; (3) Trial and disposition of other federal misdemeanor cases; (4) Trial and disposition of civil cases upon consent of the litigants; (5) Assisting district judges in disposition of prisoner petitions and Social Security appeals; (6) Conducting various pretrial matters and evidentiary proceedings on reference from the district judges; and, (7) Conducting settlement Comments from members of the bar and the public are invited as to whether the incumbent magistrate judge should be recommended by the panel for reappointment by the court and should be directed to: Joshua C. Lewis District Court Executive/Clerk of Court United States Courthouse 700 Stewart Street, Suite 2310 Seattle, Washington 98101 Attention – Reappointment of Magistrate Judge Or via e-mail to: magistratejudgeapplication@wawd.uscourts.gov Comments must be received by August 21, 2026. IPL0358694 Jul 22,29,Aug 5,12 2026