Paris K. Kallas

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JDR is delighted to welcome Judge Paris Kallas as its newest panel member. Judge Kallas was appointed to the King County Superior Court in May 2001 and served until July 2010. From 1996-2001, she served as a Commissioner of Division I of the Washington State Court of Appeals. While practicing law, she specialized in appellate practice, criminal defense, and general tort litigation.

Experience & Specialties

As a King County Superior Court judge, Judge Kallas presided over the full range of civil cases, including business disputes, construction defect, medical and legal malpractice, maritime, insurance disputes, personal injury, condemnation, class actions, asbestos, marital dissolution, real property, probate and trusts and estates. She served as Chief Asbestos Judge from January 2008- July 2010 and Chief Civil Judge from January 2009-July 2010.

Judge Kallas’ caseload included complex litigation and such high-profile cases as the Jewish Federation shootings, police officer discipline, and childhood sex abuse and molestation allegations against clergy.

Judge Kallas conducted settlement conferences in hundreds of civil cases, as a superior court judge and an appellate court commissioner.

Judge Kallas frequently speaks at Continuing Legal Education Seminars on topics including construction defect litigation, class actions, rules practice, asbestos, civil trial practice, and privacy concerns and public court records.

Memberships and Honors

Judicial:

  • Chief Civil Judge, King County Superior Court
  • Chief Asbestos Judge, King County Superior Court
  • Chair, Ex Parte and Probate Committee, King County Superior Court
  • Chair, Local Rules Committee, King County Superior Court

Legal:

  • Member, Washington State Bar Association 1981-Present
  • Member, Maritime Law Association of the United States
  • Board of Directors Member, Foundation for Washington State Courts
  • Board of Directors Member, Dispute Resolution Center of King County
  • Member, William L. Dwyer Inn, American Inns of Court

Past Memberships:

  • Member, King County Boys and Girls Club Corporate Board of Directors
  • Member, Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences Board of Trustees
  • Member, Community Day School Association Board of Directors
Education

J.D., University of Puget Sound School of Law (now Seattle University), 1981
B.A., St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota, 1978