Salvador A. Mungia

Biography

Professional career

• Salvador “Sal” A. Mungia is an American jurist elected in November 2024 and sworn in January 2025 as a justice of the Washington Supreme Court, serving until 2031
• Sworn in January 13, 2025 at the Temple of Justice in Olympia
• In 2024, Justice Susan Owens retired at age 75 under the state constitution

Education

Additional information

• Managing partner for the last two years of his practice and has been recognized as AV Preeminent for over 20 years, a “Super Lawyer” since 2008, and a “Best Lawyer” since 2011
• Washington State Courts - Supreme Court Bios - Justice Salvador A. Mungia Get Email Updates | FAQs & eService Center Forms Court Directory Opinions Rules Courts Programs & Organizations Resources Courts Home > Courts > Supreme Court Members Simple jQuery Dropdown Menu | Finished Article WELCOME ABOUT JUSTICES VISIT HISTORY CONNECT Justice Salvador A. Mungia Justice Salvador “Sal” A. Mungia was elected to the Washington Supreme Court in November 2024 and was sworn into office in January 2025
• Mungia has held the role of president of the Washington State Bar Association, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, and Western States Bar Conference, and was on the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates (2012–2015)
• He then joined Gordon Thomas Honeywell in Tacoma in 1986, where he practiced for nearly 40 years, specializing in complex civil trial and appellate work — including general aviation crashes, insurance coverage, medical negligence, wrongful death, commercial disputes, and constitutional issues such as First Amendment rights and separation of church and state
• He graduated from Clover Park High School in 1977, obtained a B.A. in 1981 from Pacific Lutheran University with honors, and a J.D. in 1984 from Georgetown University Law Center with honors
• Born February 19, 1959 in Lakewood, Washington, Mungia is the son of immigrant parents — his father from Mexico and his mother from Japan
• After law school, Mungia clerked for Washington Supreme Court Justice Fred H. Dore and U.S. District Court Judge Carolyn Dimmick
• He has taught trial skills at the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and at Emory Law School, authored a chapter in the Washington State Bar Association’s Civil Procedure Deskbook, and has delivered over 100 continuing legal education seminars
• Mungia won the nonpartisan election for Position #2 on the Washington Supreme Court, defeating Dave Larson in a close general election
• Mungia is married to his wife and has three adult children, one in school, and one grandchild
• He has been active in pro bono work, including with the American Civil Liberties Union, and in community legal initiatives