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COMMISSIONER JERRI G. POTTS is a superior court commissioner for Benton and Franklin counties, a position she has held since 2002. Prior to her position on the bench, Commissioner Potts had a private legal practice in Kennewick from 1998 to 2002; and before that, she was an assistant attorney general for the state of Washington from 1992 to 1998. Commissioner Potts is a member of the Superior Court Judges Association, the Washington State Bar Association, and a judicial representative on the Washington State Children's Justice Task Force. She received her B.A. degree from Eastern Washington University and her J.D. degree from the University of Idaho College of Law. HON. CARRIE L. RUNGE was appointed to the bench by Governor Gary Locke in January 2004. Judge Runge currently is a judge with the Benton County Superior Court. Prior to being appointed, she worked in the Benton County Prosecutor's Office from September 1986 to December 2003. She became the chief deputy prosecutor in approximately 1994. Judge Runge earned her B.A. degree from the University of Washington and her J.D. degree from the University of Puget Sound. COMMISSIONER LANI-KAI SWANHART has served as a court commissioner with the Yakima County Superior Court since 1991. She currently hears family law matters. From 1983 until her appointment, Commissioner Swanhart worked as an assistant attorney general representing a variety of state agencies, and eventually managing attorneys and staff. From 1980 to 1983, she was in private practice, focusing in the area of family law. Commissioner Swanhart received both her B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Washington. COMMISSIONER M. SCOTT WOLFRAM is a court commissioner with the Walla Walla County Superior Court, a position he has held since 2003. Prior to his position on the bench, Commissioner Wolfram served as deputy prosecuting attorney for Walla Walla County from 1979 to 1983. He is a member of the Walla Walla County (president, 1997), Washington State and American bar associations and the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association. Commissioner Wolfram received his B.S. degree, with distinction, and his J.D. degree from Valparaiso University. MODERATOR - PATRICIA J. CHVATAL has been practicing law in Richland, Washington, since 1976. At that time, she was one of the first women to practice law in the Tri-City area. Her practice area for the last 25 years has been in the area of family law, dealing with child custody, litigation, complex property issues and all other areas associated with family law. Ms. Chvatal has served on numerous Washington State Bar Association committees, including serving on the State Executive Board Family Law Committee for six years. She has served as president and vice president of the Benton Franklin County Bar Association, and was a recipient of the Al Yencopal Award in December 2008 in recognition of Outstanding Volunteer Legal Services for the Tri-City community. Ms. Chvatal is a graduate of Carroll College in Helena, Montana, and Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, Washington.
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