The Metropolitan King County Council on Monday appointed Michael Finkle to serve as a judge in Northeast Division of King County District Court. Finkle will fill a new position authorized by the council last year to address increasing District Court caseloads.

The cities served by the Northeast Division of District Court includes Bellevue, Issaquah, Sammamish, Redmond, and Woodinville as well as unincorporated King County.

“Mr. Finkle has outstanding qualifications to serve on the King County District Court bench,” said Councilmember Jane Hague, chair of the Council’s Committee of the Whole. “The public is a big winner with his appointment today.”

“As an attorney who has spent significant time practicing in District Court, I can attest that Michael Finkle will be a fabulous judge,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn, chair of the Council’s Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee.

Both Hague and Dunn represent portions of Bellevue.