Ballotpedia, Sal Mungia

Sal earned his bachelor's degree from Pacific Lutheran University and his law degree from Georgetown University. He has 4 children.

Sal is a trial and appellate lawyer. He previously worked as a law clerk for a Washington State Supreme Court Justice and a federal district court judge.


Sal Mungia's campaign for supreme court justice is his first run for public office. 

As a trial attorney at Gordon Thomas Honeywell, researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in appellate law.

As a state supreme court clerk, kept the record of all cases reviewed by the court, filed documents and transcripts, maintained the list of attorneys licensed to practice law before the court, and served as a point of contact for all litigants and attorneys who requested review of their cases.

As a judicial clerk, researched legal theories and precedents, drafted court memos and judicial opinions, and reviewed the findings and citations of the court’s opinions.

- As a trial attorney at Gordon Thomas Honeywell, researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in appellate law.
- As a state supreme court clerk, kept the record of all cases reviewed by the court, filed documents and transcripts, maintained the list of attorneys licensed to practice law before the court, and served as a point of contact for all litigants and attorneys who requested review of their cases.
- As a judicial clerk, researched legal theories and precedents, drafted court memos and judicial opinions, and reviewed the findings and citations of the court’s opinions.

Legal Experience

Believes "ensuring that the rule of law is followed is the paramount duty of a state supreme court justice."

Said, "The legal system must be made to serve everyone. It’s not a fair contest when one party is represented by an attorney and the other party can’t afford an attorney."

Said, "The law must be applied fairly and justly to everyone. When there is bias against a person because of who they are, then the legal system is not treating people fairly and justly."

- Believes "ensuring that the rule of law is followed is the paramount duty of a state supreme court justice."
- Said, "The legal system must be made to serve everyone. It’s not a fair contest when one party is represented by an attorney and the other party can’t afford an attorney."
- Said, "The law must be applied fairly and justly to everyone. When there is bias against a person because of who they are, then the legal system is not treating people fairly and justly."

Judicial Philosophy

As of October 7, 2024, Sal Mungia’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

Previously served as president of the Washington State Bar Association, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, and Western States Bar Conference.

Previously served as president of the Washington State Bar Association, the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, and the Western States Bar Conference.

Served as past chair and former board member of Washington’s Access to Justice Board.

Previously served as chair of the Equal Justice Coalition.

Serves as an advisory council member for the Endowment for Equal Justice.

Serves as a board member for the Pacific Lutheran University Board of Regents.

Serves as a cooperating attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Washington.

Serves as a member of the vestry at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Tacoma.

- Previously served as president of the Washington State Bar Association, the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, and the Western States Bar Conference.
- Served as past chair and former board member of Washington’s Access to Justice Board.
- Previously served as chair of the Equal Justice Coalition.
- Serves as an advisory council member for the Endowment for Equal Justice.
- Serves as a board member for the Pacific Lutheran University Board of Regents.
- Serves as a cooperating attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Washington.
- Serves as a member of the vestry at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Tacoma.

Community Involvement

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Sal Mungia

Sal attended Clover Park High School. He earned his bachelor's degree from Pacific Lutheran University and his law degree from Georgetown University. He has 4 children.

Sal Mungia's campaign for Supreme Court Justice is his first run for public office. 

Served as a state court of appeals judge for 10 years.

Served as a district court judge for 1 year.

Served as a state district judge for 12 years.

As an attorney at Miller Nash LLP, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in public finance and tax law.

Served as a state court of appeals judge for 8 years.

Served as a district court judge for 10 years.

Believes in upholding civility and respect in judicial conduct.

Supports Sal Mungia for the Washington Supreme Court.

Believes in being wise and genuinely caring about people.

Believes in strong qualifications for judicial positions, saying, “I cannot think of a better-qualified candidate for the Washington Supreme Justice position.”

Believes in being "honest, fair and practical" as a judicial philosophy.

Believes in being "A Justice for All of Washington."

Believes in fair and efficient judicial administration, and supports the role of district courts in maintaining public order and overseeing minor criminal and civil cases.

Supports the Washington State Treasurer's Office.

Supports the right to appeal court decisions.

Believes in appointing "extremely intelligent, capable and more importantly ethical lawyers" to the bench.

Believes in serving "not a faction or part of our State but all."

Supports Sal's appointment to the Supreme Court, citing his "beloved footprint in our legal community."

Endorsed by former Tacoma mayor Bill Baarsma.

Served as a member of the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association.

Rated "Exceptionally Well Qualified" by the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington.

Serves as a board member for the Spokane Valley Partners and the Spokane County Library District.

Supports community involvement through events like the Sal for Justice event hosted by David Perez in Seattle.

Supports community involvement in education, as evidenced by his endorsement by Chris Reykdal, Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Supports community involvement, as evidenced by his endorsement from former Washington State Auditor Brian Sonntag.

As of October 8, 2024, Sal Mungia’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Sal Mungia is a lawyer at the Tacoma firm of Gordon Thomas Honeywell. He has served as a past president of the Washington State Bar Association and the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association.

- The Washington State Supreme Court has nine justices and serves as the final authority on the Washington Constitution and Washington law.
- They interpret laws, review appeals, and issue opinions on cases. They also establish court rules, oversee legal practice, and hear significant public interest cases.
- A candidate must be licensed to practice in Washington to be elected into this office. Justices must retire at the age 75. 
- Justices are elected for six-year terms in nonpartisan elections. Vacancies can be filled by the governor's appointment, with staggered elections ensuring that only some justices are elected each year.
- The chief justice earns $255,495 and associate justices earn $251,8613 per year.