Superior Court commissioner Lowans to retire

Published 10:22 am Tuesday, November 17, 2015

PORT ORCHARD – Kitsap County Superior Court Commissioner Thurman W. Lowans has announced his retirement from the Court, effective June 1, 2016.

Lowans, the sole, full-time Superior Court Commissioner in Kitsap County, was unanimously appointed to the Court in January 1994 by the Superior Court judges and will retire with over 22 years of judicial service. Prior to his appointment, he practiced law for 15 years in Kitsap County, following three years active duty as Judicial Advocate General with the U.S. Navy stationed on Whidbey Island. Lowans retired from the Navy Reserves in 1996 after 22 years, with the rank of Commander. Lowans is a past president of the Kitsap County Bar Association.

Throughout Lowans’ judicial tenure, he has presided over countless family law, juvenile dependency, mental health, domestic violence and adoption cases. His work on the bench was the front line for legal intervention in sensitive legal issues having dramatic and lasting impacts on the lives and relationships of Kitsap County citizens.

In addition to carrying a full-time caseload, Lowans was instrumental in the creation of the Kitsap County Courthouse Facilitator program (1995) which is designed to help self-represented litigants navigate complex family law court processes. He also established a Juvenile Court diversion program, Youth Court (2001-present), which continues to address offenses committed by kids who are then sentenced by their peers.

Lowans has served on the Superior Court Judges’ Association (SCJA) Family and Juvenile Law Committee (1997-present), and as a Trustee and SCJA representative to the Washington State Court Appointed Special Advocate Board (CASA), (2002-2006). Lowans has been faculty to the Washington State Judicial College (2002-2006 and 2009-2010), and he is a contributing author for the State Non-Offender Bench Book.

Raised in a Navy family, Lowans graduated High School in South Texas, and earned his undergraduate degree Cum Laude from Dartmouth College in 1972. He received his Juris Doctorate from Boston University School of Law in 1975 and was admitted to practice in the State of Washington that same year.

In his letter to the Superior Court Bench, Lowans indicated “It has been my distinct honor and privilege to represent our bench in the administration of Justice for the Citizens of Kitsap County. It has been my pleasure to work with each of you and with your predecessors over the years.”

Lowans’ departure creates a judicial vacancy that will be filled by appointment of the Kitsap County Superior Court judges, following an open, competitive recruitment.