Judge Mills graduated cum laude
from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She earned
her Juris Doctorate from the University of Puget Sound School of Law and was
admitted to the Washington State Bar Association in 1987. Judge Mills was first elected to the bench
in 2000. Prior to her election, she was a lawyer in municipal government where
her positions included that of Deputy Prosecutor and City Attorney. Through her
background, Judge Mills gained extensive experience in the areas of criminal
law, municipal law and civil litigation. Judge Mills has served her community in many
areas. For several years she was a board member for Hospice of Kitsap County,
and also hosted a volunteer weekly radio program broadcast statewide by the
Evergreen Radio Reading Service for the Blind. She also has a keen interest in
the success of young people in the community and she has taught law to high
school students and mentored students in the annual YMCA Mock Trial Program.
Judge Mills has also taught cadets from around the State through the Washington
Youth Academy whose mission is to empower at-risk youth to improve their
educational and employment potential.
Judge Mills is actively involved in the
education of her peers, and serves as teaching faculty for the Washington
Judicial College where she instructs other members of the judiciary. She has
also been a member of The Washington State Council on Public Legal Education.
Judge Mills is the recipient of the Nevins Award presented by the
Washington Judges' Foundation. She was selected from Judges statewide for her
outstanding contribution to youth education and public understanding of the
law. The Kitsap County Bar Association also honored Judge Mills with
presentation of the Humanitarian Award and she has been recognized as "A Woman
of Achievement" by the YWCA. |