Bellingham Municipal Court Judge Debra Lev announces the appointment of Court Commissioner Nicholas Henery, who was sworn in during a ceremony held earlier this year and is now hearing cases in the Municipal Court.
Commissioner Henery most recently served as a Skagit County public defender, where he handled a full felony caseload and gained broad trial experience. Prior to that, he served as a Skagit County Superior Court law clerk. He is a long-time Bellingham resident, a graduate of Western Washington University, and received his Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga University School of Law.
Commissioner Henery is serving in the court commissioner position formerly held by Pete Smiley, who resigned in fall 2021 and relocated to accept a civil law position in Island County.
The court commissioner is a judicial officer as set forth in RCW 3.50.075, presiding over a variety of hearings as prescribed in Washington State Law and in accordance with established court rules, legal procedures, and professional ethics.
