Matthew W. Hill

Matthew William Hill (June 26, 1894 – February 28, 1989) was an American lawyer who served as a Justice of the Washington Supreme Court from 1947 to 1969, and Chief Justice from 1957 to 1959.

The Honorable Matthew W. Hill
Justice of the Washington Supreme Court
In office January 13, 1947 – December 31, 1969
Preceded by	Edward M. Connelly
Succeeded by	Charles F. Stafford Jr.
Personal details
Born	June 26, 1894 Bozeman, Montana, U.S.
Died	February 28, 1989 (aged 94) Olympia, Washington, U.S.
Nationality	American
Spouse(s)	Irma Verne Young
Children	3
Residence	Seattle, Washington
Alma mater	University of Washington (LLB)
Occupation	Lawyer, judge

Early life and education

Matthew Hill was born in Bozeman, Montana, the only child of Saxton Hill and Mary Elma Noe. In 1907, when Matthew was 13 years old, the family moved to Lester, Washington.[1] He attended a two-room school, later being graduated from Stadium High School, Tacoma. He enrolled in the University of Washington where he was a member of the debating team, and Vice-President of the University of Washington Associated Students.[2][3] In 1917, he graduated cum laude and Order of the Coif with a Bachelors of Law degree.[4] He later received an honorary Juris Doctor from Seattle Pacific College.

Legal career

Admitted to the Bar in 1918, Hill practiced law in Seattle. From 1923 to 1924, he served as an Assistant U.S. District Attorney.[5] He was appointed judge of the King County Superior Court in 1945.[6][4] In 1946, he was elected as a justice of the Supreme Court of Washington State, defeating incumbent Edward M. Connelly, taking office on January 13, 1947, and served as chief justice from January 14, 1957 to January 12, 1958.[7][8][9][10][11]

Honors

The Matthew W. Hill Scholarship at the University of Washington Law School, established in his memory, supports second and third year students.[12]

Personal life

In May 1924, Hill married Irma Verne Young and they had two daughters (Irma L. and Mary B. Hill) and a son (Matthew Hale Hill).[1]

References

1. "Facing the alcohol problem realistically" (PDF). Listen. 11 (1): 7–10. January–February 1958. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
2. Tyee Yearbook. University of Washington. 1917. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
3. University Debaters' Annual, Volume 7. H.W. Wilson Company. 1921. p. 337.
4. Roberts, Phil (2002). A Penny for the Governor, A Dollar for Uncle Sam. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press. p. 123. ISBN 0295803266.
5. Tambara v. Weedin, case no. 4137 (9th Cir. 1924).
6. "State v. Carroll, 81 Wn.2d 95, 500 P.2d 115 (1972)". Retrieved May 16, 2017.
7. Sheldon, Charles H. (1988). A Century of Judging: A Political History of the Washington Supreme Court. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press. p. 352. ISBN 0295803290.
8. Hunter, Robert T. (Winter 1989). "The Practice of Judging With the Superior and Supreme Courts of Washington 1946-1976". Second Series Volume II, Number 1. The Pacific Northwest Forum. pp. 2–23.
9. "Adventure in Seattle". The Rotarian. Vol. 85 no. 1. June 10, 1954. p. 26.
10. "Election Results". The Daily Chronicle (Centralia, WA). November 6, 1946. p. 3. Retrieved May 17, 2017. In the only supreme court seat for which there was a contest, Matthew W. Hill, former King County superior judge, was way ahead of Edward M. Connelly of Spokane. He led Connelly by more than 40,000 votes, with 1,637 precincts reported.
11. "Justices from 1940-1975: Matthew W. Hill". Washington State Courts. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
12. "Deadline Extended*** MATTHEW W. HILL SCHOLARSHIP 2006-2007 $3,600" (PDF). University of Washington Law School-Financial Aid Office. Retrieved May 15, 2017.

Selected publications

• Hill, Matthew W. (February 1, 1971). "Sir Matthew Hale and Modern Judicial Ethics". Judicial Ethics and the National News Council.
• Court opinions written by Matthew W. Hill. CourtListener.com.