On Friday, May 31, 2024, Senior United States District Judge Wm. Fremming “Frem” Nielsen will step away from the federal bench and assume inactive status after faithfully serving the Eastern District of Washington for thirty-three years.  Known equally for his brilliant legal mind and deep compassion, Judge Nielsen leaves a legacy of excellent jurisprudence, a commitment to service, mentorship, and kindness.  

In speaking about Judge Nielsen’s legacy, Chief United States District Judge Stan Bastian notes, “Judge Frem Nielsen has served this judicial district with distinction for decades, first as a judicial law clerk, next as a well-respected trial lawyer, and finally for 33 years as a District Judge. He has consistently treated everyone with respect, dignity, and kindness. Judge Nielsen has set the bar high. We will miss him, but we all wish him well in his retirement.”
 
Nominated to the federal bench by President George H. W. Bush, Judge Nielsen received a speedy, unanimous confirmation by the Senate and subsequent commission as an Article III Judge on May 14, 1991.  Over the course of the last three decades, he has presided over many difficult and complex civil and criminal matters, including several high-profile cases such as the Hanford “Downwinder” lawsuit in 2005, the WSU Researcher raid in 1993, and the Spokane Valley Bombers in 1996. Perhaps best well known for his deft handling of several multi-defendant cases, including a 62 defendant drug conspiracy case (the largest criminal case filed in the EDWA), Judge Nielsen and his Chambers set the standard for how to efficiently and equitably ensure justice is done with seeming mountains of evidence, discovery, and testimony. Highly respected by his colleagues, Judge Nielsen served with distinction as Chief Judge of the District from 1995-2000, taking senior status in May 2003. Judge Nielsen also pioneered one of the first federal drug courts in the nation and is proud to see the success of the district's STEP court which continues today.  
 
Born in Seattle, Washington, Judge Nielsen received both his undergraduate and law degrees from his beloved alma mater the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in 1956 and LL.B in 1962. Between degrees, Nielsen discovered what became a life-long love of flight when he served honorably as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force first from 1956-1959 and then within the Reserves, where he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in August 1994.
 
Judge Nielsen first served the Eastern District of Washington as a Law Clerk for United States District Judge Charles L. Powell for one year before going into private practice in Spokane.  A long tenured member and partner of Paine Hamblen from 1964-1991, Judge Nielsen was praised at his confirmation by former Washington Senator Slade Gorton as “an exquisite balance” of both the eastern and western sides of the state and one of Spokane’s “outstanding citizens, as well as one of its outstanding legal practitioners.”
 
Judge Nielsen’s legacy of deep respect for the legal field and judiciary is mirrored by his equally deep collegial relationships and friendships throughout both the District and nation. Heather Foe, the Judge’s former career law clerk, writes, “Though I’m happy for Judge Nielsen to enjoy more time with family and friends, his retirement leaves a gaping hole at the courthouse. Judge Nielsen’s retirement ends a storied career as a jurist who leaves an indelible mark on the district from his fair, yet kind approach to justice.  Collegiality, thoughtfulness, and pragmatism define not only his career but also his life and he tremendously impacted all those who had the pleasure to know and work with him. I will sorely miss visiting with him at the courthouse.” Joanna Knutson, the Judge’s career-long Judicial Assistant, echoes these sentiments, “Judge Nielsen has impacted so many lives – not only as a Judge, but the man that he is. He is the consummate gentleman.  During the nearly 44 years I’ve spent working with Judge Nielsen, he always treats me and his chambers staff with respect and caring.    In court and in life he exemplifies civility and professionalism.  It has been an honor and a joy to work with him every single day.”  Another former law clerk, Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, wrote “Judge Nielsen is a wonderful role model, and I was lucky indeed to work so closely with him as a young attorney.  He is exactly what the public wants in a judge—smart, thoughtful, fair and respectful to everyone who appears in his courtroom.”  United States Magistrate Judge James Goeke, also a former law clerk, wrote “Judge Nielsen is truly an example of the finest the judiciary has to offer.  When I am confronted with any complicated legal question or challenge, I ask ‘what would Judge Nielsen do?’ and I always know I have the right answer.”