PAAIA Congratulates Susan Amini on her Appointment to King County Superior Court
May 6, 2013, Washington, D.C. – The Public Affairs Alliance for Iranian Americans (PAAIA) congratulates Susan Amini on her appointment to the King County Superior Court, Position 20. The appointment makes Amini the first Iranian American to serve as a superior court judge in Washington State history.
Last Thursday, at the appointment ceremony in the King County courthouse, Governor Jay Inslee described Amini as someone with a high level of expertise as well as a valuable and unique perspective. “Susan believes strongly in equal access to justice, regardless of a person’s economic status, education level, or disability, and she has worked tirelessly to help eliminate barriers that exist within our court system.”
Born in Iran, Amini was educated at Catholic schools in Tehran and Paris. She received her bachelor’s degree from Tehran University and her J.D. degree from the University of Maryland School of Law.
Amini has practiced law for 23 years. Her areas of specialization have included family law, criminal law, and immigration. Amini serves as a King County District Pro Tem judge and as a King County Bar Association Trustee. She is a member of the Washington State Trial Lawyers, Middle Eastern Legal Association of Washington, and the Bellevue Rotary.
“Susan has served her community with distinction and pride,” explained PAAIA’s Executive Director Saghi Modjtabai. “She has worked for years on behalf of economically disadvantaged clients and advocated for the rights of people with disabilities. Her dedication to public service serves as a source of inspiration to the Iranian American community.”
In 2008, PAAIA’s connected PAC supported Amini’s bid for the King County Superior Court, Position 1. Her campaign received the endorsement from judicial and community leaders as well as both the Seattle Post and the Seattle Times.
Amini is married to Mo Habib, and they currently live in Kirkland, WA. Their son, Cyrus Habib, is the first American of Iranian heritage to serve in a state legislature and the highest ranking Iranian American in elected office.
