Pacifica Law Group is pleased to announce that Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson has appointed Pacifica Partner and retired King County Superior Court judge Matthew J. Segal to the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC). The PDC is the agency charged with regulating political disclosure and interpreting and enforcing Washington campaign finance and disclosure laws.
“Now more than ever it’s important that we act with transparency and that we get it right when it comes to campaigns and elections,” Segal said. “I look forward to serving as a fair and neutral voice for the Commission and prioritizing education and guidance for filers to ensure the public is well informed about how campaigns, lobbying, and political action in our state are being financed.”
Washington voters established the PDC in 1972 by passing citizen-led Initiative 276. The PDC is overseen by five commissioners and an executive director, who set agency policy, interpret campaign finance and disclosure law, and adopt administrative rules. As a quasi-judicial body, the Commission also hears cases that allege violations of Washington campaign finance and disclosure laws. Commissioners are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate.
Segal was appointed to a term through 2030. His appointment to the PDC continues his commitment to serving Washington public institutions.
Segal was a King County Superior Court judge from 2021-2024. One of Pacifica’s founding partners, Segal has more than 25 years of courtroom experience as a trial and appellate practitioner and judge. He is a member of Pacifica’s Public Law and Finance Group, focusing his practice on advising and representing clients on public law issues, appeals, and public ethics. He also serves as a neutral and consultant and trial and appellate consultant. Before entering private practice, he served as a judicial clerk for Justice Charles W. Johnson of the Washington State Supreme Court, and as a print and broadcast journalist.
Segal joins several Pacifica colleagues in service to Washington’s state and local civic institutions. Faith Li Pettis currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Western Washington University, Denise Stiffarm is a member of the University of Washington Board of Regents, and Kai Smith currently serves on the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission.
