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THE LEGAL BRIEF
VOLUME 40, ISSUE 4
“ In Re: Jon Tunheim ”
1. Name and year admitted to Bar: Jon Tunheim, Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney. Admitted 1990.
2. Areas you practice in: In my role as the elected prosecutor, I oversee all areas of practice in the office including criminal prosecution, civil litigation, legal advice to county offices and departments, and child support enforcement. Before I was elected, I was a Deputy Prosecutor in the Criminal Division. 3. I became a lawyer because . . . of an elective class I took in college called Civil Rights and Liberties. The class introduced me to the law and I was immediately hooked. From that time forward, my goal was to go to law school and practice law.
4. The hardest part of being a lawyer is . . . work - life balance. There is always more work to be done and it ’ s easy to get sucked into thinking that the work is always more urgent and important. It ’ s not.
5. I would give this advice to a first - year law student: Find the area of law that is most interesting and exciting to you. Imagine yourself in a practice focusing on that area of the law and pursue it. Don ’ t chase money. A sense of meaning and purpose in your work is more important than wealth. Stay firm in a belief that if you find purpose in what you are doing, you will flourish. 6. Traits I admire in other attorneys: Honesty, objectivity, and professionalism. I have always appreciated lawyers who “ play straight ” and are honest with opposing counsel and with their clients. Opponents who can trust each other, be professional and treat everyone with respect can still be effective advocates for their clients.
7. If I were not practicing law, I would be . . . teaching. I have always enjoyed teaching. It ’ s how I approach trial work. My father was a college professor so perhaps it ’ s in the blood.
8. What is the first thing you will do when you retire? Take a long cross - country motorcycle ride. My motorcycle has become my refuge from the day - to - day intensity of the work.
9. If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future? Why? Neither. I ’ m perfectly happy in the present. I ’ ve already been to the past and have no desire to know the future early. For me, the fun is in creating the future.
10. What words of wisdom would you pass on to your childhood self? Don ’ t waste time. Appreciate the people in your life. Always choose hope.
11. What words of wisdom would you give to a young lawyer new to the profession? Focus on the long game and not the short game. One decision or case will not define a career. Envision the pathway of your career and follow it.
Brief synopsis of Jon Tunheim, his personal life, his work life, and any special awards or activities.
I grew up in South Dakota and earned my BS in Physics at South Dakota State University. Following graduation, I married my wife Marcia and together we moved to Washington where I attended UPS School of Law. I joined the Thurston County Prosecutor's Office as an intern in 1988, went on to become a Deputy Prosecutor, Chief Deputy, and was eventually elected Prosecuting Attorney in 2010.
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