Fall 2024
In a candid interview, Cecily Hazelrigg, Acting Chief Judge of Division One at the Washington State Court of Appeals, shares insights from her journey to the bench, beginning with community college and culminating in a distinguished career in law. Here, she discusses mentorship, community, and representation in legal spaces.
Q: Could you start by introducing yourself and sharing a bit about your background?
A: I am Judge Cecily C. Hazelrigg. I was elected to this position in 2018 after a contested race across four counties: Skagit, Whatcom, Island, and San Juan. Before taking the bench, I was a public defender in Skagit County, handling a range of criminal cases, and had practiced immigration law in Whatcom County. I started at SVC’s Whidbey campus during high school, later transferring to the paralegal program at the Mount Vernon campus. From there, I went to Western Washington University and then on to law school at Gonzaga.
Q: What factors influenced your decision to start your college career at Skagit Valley College? Were there specific programs or opportunities that attracted you?
A: I became a mom at 19 and needed credentials quickly in order to support my child. My stepdad reminded me that I had been interested in being a lawyer when I was younger, and Skagit’s paralegal program seemed like a great fit. It allowed me to jump start a legal career without the overwhelming commitment of high tuition and many years of higher education.
Q: How did your education at the community college influence your decision to pursue a career in law?
A: The faculty were amazing. Director Ted Maloney ensured that our instructors were all local paralegals or attorneys, bringing practical experience into the classroom. I worked with Nancy Ivarinen, an attorney who emphasized community service and pro bono work, which had a big impact on me. Her mentorship was invaluable, especially since she was also a first-generation attorney.
Q: Can you describe your journey from community college to becoming an appellate court judge?
A: At 19, law school felt unattainable due to the time and expense, but mentors helped me set manageable goals and encouraged me to keep going. I was always pulled to public service, but I imagined civil legal aid. Later, my focus shifted to immigration law, then public defense, in order to serve marginalized communities. Being a judge was not ever on my radar; mostly because, as a first-generation Chicana lawyer, I did not see anyone on the bench with a background like mine. But I realized I could contribute in broader ways and that my unique voice could be an asset to our judiciary.
Q: How did your time at community college prepare you for law school and your legal career?
A: SVC gave me significant advantages; I had hands-on experience with legal research and court processes, which set me apart from many of my law school peers. The rigorous paralegal program prepared me for later academic challenges.
Q: As an appellate court judge, what unique perspectives has your community college experience brought to your role?
A: Community college grounded me in… community. My work is not just about lawyers and trial judges; the people at the heart of these cases are our neighbors. SVC does a great job of fostering connections both on and off campus.
Q: What advice would you give to current community college students interested in pursuing a career in law?
A: Find mentors. If you see someone doing work that interests you, invite them for coffee and ask how they got there. People like sharing their expertise, and in my experience, are often generous with their time.
Q: How has your family’s relationship with the community college shaped your or their educational and career aspirations?
A: My mom began at a community college in south Texas as a first-generation Mexican American woman in college in the 1960s; it is a legacy we value. My older child, also a single parent, chose SVC for its supportive environment; they are now completing a bachelor’s in psychology with a minor in human development and planning for grad school. My younger daughter recently started at SVC, opting to stay home and earn her associate’s before she continues on her own academic path.
To explore ways you can support SVC’s programs, skagitfoundation.org/support-svc-foundation.
