Clallam County Seeks New Family Court Commissioner in Wake of Parker Scandal

Exactly one month after the disgraced and abrupt exit of former Court Commissioner Brian Parker, Clallam County has officially opened the search for his replacement.

An email distributed yesterday by Superior Court Administrator Lacey Halberg, confirmed that the court is now soliciting applications for the vacant position.

After a year plagued by scandal, perjury allegations, and community outrage, the Superior Court is now faced with the critical task of rebuilding public trust.

The Search for a New Commissioner

The unelected, full-time position comes with significant authority and a highly lucrative compensation package:

• Salary: $213,714.00 Annually.
• Pay Structure: The salary is set at 90% of a Superior Court Judge salary.
• Application Deadline: The closing date for applications is 4/10/2026 11:59 PM Pacific.

The chosen candidate will step into a role that requires them to preside over some of the most sensitive and high-stakes matters in the county. The primary focus of the role is presiding over domestic, family, and juvenile court matters.

The duties also include presiding over civil protection orders, domestic relations, dependencies, and juvenile offender cases.

Scrutinizing the Vetting Process

For the residents of Clallam County, the qualifications and vetting of the new commissioner will be closely watched.

The job listing outlines the baseline requirements: a minimum of five (5) years of professional legal experience, a law degree, and a license to practice law in the State of Washington.

A background in Juvenile and Family Law is listed merely as “desirable.”

The job description explicitly notes that the applicant selected for this position must adhere to the Code of Judicial Conduct.

Given the catastrophic tenure of Brian Parker—who was fast-tracked into the role by former Presiding Judge Brent Basden without a probationary period, despite a police referral for felony perjury—the community will be looking for assurances that history will not repeat itself.

Will the court administration conduct thorough background checks this time, or will red flags once again be ignored in the name of expedience?

Shielded from the Voters

Because the Family Court Commissioner is an appointed position, the individual who fills this role will not appear on a ballot.

They are not directly accountable to the citizens of Clallam County. The job posting openly highlights this dynamic:

• The Court Commissioner serves at the pleasure of the Superior Court Judges.
• Removal from office may be without cause and shall remain solely within the discretion of the Superior Court Judges.

This reality places the burden of responsibility squarely on the shoulders of the three Superior Court Judges.

As new Presiding Judge Simon Barnhart oversees this hiring process, the public will undoubtedly expect a rigorous, transparent vetting procedure that prioritizes judicial integrity and community safety above all else.