Biography
Judge Miguel Duran was appointed to the Superior Court bench in 2022 and then elected in 2023. Prior to taking the bench, he had nearly 20 years of practice as a civil and criminal trial attorney.
Judge Duran was the former chapter president and shop steward of the Northwest Defenders Association chapter of SEIU Local 925. In his civil practice, Judge Duran co-founded his firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee which was designed to encourage diversity in the practice of law, bolster awareness of minority cultural issues, and increase focus on pro bono work for underserved communities. Currently, Judge Duran serves on the Budget and Recovery Court Committees of the Superior Court. He is also a convening judge (alongside Judge Karen Moore) for Snohomish County’s YMCA Middle and High School Mock Trial competitions. Judge Duran was appointed as the Superior Court Judge’s Association representative to the Washington Pattern Jury Instructions Committee in January of 2023.
He and his wife Sol, a registered nurse, and their two dogs Gretta and Moggle reside in Mountlake Terrace.
Education
Judge Duran earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and New York University respectively.
Legal Experience
Judge Duran began his career as a public defender before moving into private practice focused on complex civil litigation prior to his appointment to the bench.
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Superior Court Judge, Snohomish County
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Attorney, Wilson Smith Cochran Dickerson, Private Practice, Complex Civil Litigation
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Trial Attorney, Allstate Insurance
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Employment Attorney, Service Employees International Union, Local 925
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Public Defender, City of Everett and King County
Community Service
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Mentor – Joint Minority Mentorship Program
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Volunteer – Food Lifeline
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Board of Directors – Snohomish County Legal Services
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Convening Judge – Snohomish County Middle and High School Mock Trial Competitions
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Co-Founder – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Wilson Smith Cochran Dickerson
Bar Association Ratings
“Exceptionally Well Qualified” by the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington
“Exceptionally Well Qualified” by the LGBT Bar Association of Washington
“Well Qualified” by the Joint Asian Judicial Evaluations Committee
“Well Qualified” by the Washington State Veterans Bar Association