June 9, 2026

King County Superior Court

Manca

Gov. Bob Ferguson announced the appointment of Jessica Murphy Manca to the position of King County Superior Court Judge. Manca's appointment, effective July 1, fills the position that Judge Karen Donohue's resignation will vacate.

Manca is a career prosecutor with more than 15 years of experience in criminal law. She currently practices as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Washington, where she serves as the U.S. Attorney's Office's Criminal Civil Rights Coordinator — leading investigations of hate crimes and criminal violations of people's constitutional rights. Her practice has also focused on cybercrime, cyberstalking and financial crimes, and she previously served as the Western District of Washington's Project Safe Neighborhoods Program Coordinator — working with community leaders and nonprofits on gun-violence prevention, intervention and reentry programs.

Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney's Office, Manca spent a decade at the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office as a criminal trial and appellate lawyer. She appeared daily in King County's superior and district courts, handling hundreds of felony and misdemeanor cases, including approximately fifty jury trials. Manca earned a promotion to Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in 2017.

Manca earned her bachelor's degree from Harvard University and her law degree with high honors from the University of Washington School of Law.