The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington announces the selection of Benton/Franklin Superior Court Judge Alexander Ekstrom as its next Magistrate Judge for the District. The anticipated effective date for his appointment is August 15, 2022, upon the successful completion of his FBI background investigation. Magistrate Judge Ekstrom’s official duty station will be in Yakima, Washington, where he will hold and discharge the duties of his office for a term of eight (8) years.

Judge Ekstrom currently serves as a Superior Court Judge for Benton and Franklin Counties, a position he has held for over 7 years. He has served as the Administrative Presiding Judge, Assistant Administrative Presiding Judge, Criminal Presiding Judge, and Criminal/Technology Presiding Judge, the latter being a hybrid role he has held during much of the COVID 19 Pandemic. Prior to joining the state bench, Judge Ekstrom served as an Assistant United States Attorney and Special Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington in Yakima for 8 years.

Prior to his tenure with the Department of Justice/United States Attorney’s Office, Judge Ekstrom served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in both Benton and Franklin Counties. He began his legal career as a legal intern for the Public Defender Association in Seattle, Washington and the Office Of Corporation Counsel for Snohomish County PUD No. 1. Judge Ekstrom received both his law and undergraduate degree from the University of Washington.