U.S. District Court judge chosen from Clark County

“I’m extremely honored to have been selected as a full-time magistrate judge and am looking forward to the opportunity to serve the court in that position,” Christel said.

“U.S. District Court serves as an important part from a constitutional standpoint,” he said. “The significance of the cases that come before the court generally have a broad impact not just on the people involved, but the decisions tend to have a broader social and cultural impact.”

Christel now serves as a part-time magistrate judge at the Vancouver federal building, 500 W. 12th St. While his new title appears the same, the duties and geographic location of the two positions differ.

Christel presently hears preliminary proceedings in criminal cases, such as search warrants, arrest warrants and criminal complaints. He also hears initial proceedings in cases concerning violations on national properties, such as the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

As a full-time magistrate judge, he’ll work in Tacoma and hear a greater variety of cases, including civil cases and more advanced proceedings in criminal cases. In cases in which both parties agree, he may also preside over trials.

His appointment means the elimination of the part-time position in Vancouver.

Johnson said one reason for the new full-time position was an increase in Social Security appeal cases.

Johnson served on a nine-member panel that screened 72 applicants for the position and recommended finalists to the district court judges.

The active district court judges then appointed him by a majority vote.

“Judge Christel has dedicated years of service to expanding court services in Southwest Washington,” said Chief Judge Marsha Pechman. “We are delighted that he will be joining us full time.”

Active in Vancouver

Christel was born in Tacoma and graduated from the city’s Wilson High School. He received his law degree from the University of Washington Law School in 1985 and was admitted to the Washington State Bar in January 1986. He started his career at Seattle law firm Diamond & Sylvester. The following year, he moved to Vancouver to join Blair Schaefer & Hutchison, where he became a partner and remained for 17 years. In 2004, he joined in a law partnership, Simon & Christel and then started a solo practice in 2006. He later formed his latest law partnership, Christel & Isely, where he worked while serving as a part-time magistrate judge in Vancouver since March 2007.

The new position pays $183,172 annually.

Christel has served on the Vancouver School District Foundation Board and the Vancouver School District Board of Directors. He also leads a youth mentoring program at Fort Vancouver High School and has been a longtime basketball official at the high school and college levels. He also has coached youth basketball, baseball and soccer, Muir said.

“I think we can feel that even though we have lost a part-time position specific to Southwest Washington, we do have access to the Tacoma court (through Christel),” Johnson said.