Judge Melissa Hemstreet
Department No. 3
Judge Hemstreet graduated from Willamette
University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies. She earned
her Juris Doctorate degree from Willamette University College of Law. Judge
Hemstreet was admitted to the Washington State Bar Association in 1998.
Judge Hemstreet was appointed to the Kitsap
County Superior Court bench by Governor Inslee in July of 2015. Prior to her
appointment, she was in private practice in Kitsap County. Initially working for
Case Law Office as a contract public defender in Port Orchard and Bremerton
Municipal Courts. She also provided defense counsel for litigants in involuntary
commitment proceedings, as well as defending felonies in Superior Court. She
soon advanced to partner with Ms. Case. Eventually, she assumed her firm which
became known as Hemstreet Law Office, Inc. P.S.. At the time of her appointment,
Judge Hemstreet represented criminal and family law litigants. Notably, Judge
Hemstreet was committed to family law throughout her career as a lawyer. She
also assisted clients with wills, trusts and guiding them through probate or
guardianship actions.
Judge Hemstreet values access to justice for all
people and as a private attorney volunteered to take cases at either pro bono or
reduced rates through Kitsap Legal Services and as a contract attorney with the
Northwest Justice Project. She also volunteered at legal clinics to provide
considerable pro bono advice to low income litigants. Judge Hemstreet was active
in the Kitsap County and Washington State Legal Community. She served as a
Trustee, Vice President, and President of the Kitsap County Bar Association. She
served on the Kitsap County Family Law Practice and Procedure board. During her
career, she was a member of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, the
Washington Defender Association, and Washington Women Lawyers.
Judge Hemstreet is a member of the South Kitsap
Rotary and values the community service provided by that organization. Judge
Hemstreet enjoys spending time with her family and attending community events
and her children’s activities.
Judge Hemstreet's Law Clerk:
