The Federal Way City Council tonight unanimously confirmed the appointment of Dave Larson as the City's next municipal court judge.

The seven-member council voted 6-0 to approve Larson, with Councilmember Michael Park absent.

Larson, who graduated from Federal Way High School in 1976, will step in amid a http://www.federalwaynews.net/articles/2008/01/10/news/local_news/story01.txt>flurry of controversy to replace Judge Colleen Hartl, who resigned in December.

Hartl disclosed to colleagues in December that she and public defender Sean Cecil were involved in an affair of an intimate nature.

The judge cited health reasons and a long-standing feud with Municipal Court Judge Michael Morgan in her resignation. Hartl also attempted to rescind her resignation, but City Manager Neal Beats rejected her request.

Larson's term begins March 3, 2008, and ends Dec. 31, 2009.

In November 2009, the position will be up for election with the winner starting his/her term on Jan. 1, 2010.

Larson, most recently known in the community for his work as President of the Federal Way School Board, will resign his post effective Feb. 29.

He will also leave the law firm of Williams, Kastner in Tacoma where he practices in the area of complex litigation.

Larson earned an undergraduate degree in public administration from the University of Puget Sound in 1980 and a law degree from Seattle University in 1984. He spent 23 years as a trial attorney, and he has experience as a mediator and arbitrator.

Larson has served as chair of the Federal Way Ethics Commission, as president of the Federal Way Kiwanis Club, and as a youth baseball and football coach.

"I am proud to have been a Federal Way resident now for over 40 years," said Larson. "It is a special honor to be selected as a judge."

"It is a dream come true for me, Larson said, "but, it is even more special to be placed in this position of service in a community that I am so firmly rooted in.

"I realize that there has been media attention paid to this position, and my only comment on that is that the best thing for our community and this court right now is to move on, to put the past behind us, to heal wounds, and to focus on providing the essential service this court was intended to provide to this community," Larson said.

"I look forward to working with Judge Morgan and staff to make this the best municipal court in the state," he added.

The former FWPS board member said he may be cutting ties with the school board, but he will not sever his long-standing relationship with the community.

"I have enjoyed my service as a member of the Federal Way School Board," Larson said, "and I hope that I had a positive impact on the board and our schools during my tenure."

"I still live here, my sons still go to school here, my wife and I are still involved in the schools here, and I hope that in some small way that I can continue to have a positive impact on Federal Way's schools even if I am not on the board," he said.

"I am called to serve my community in another way now," Larson said.

Federal Way Mayor Jack Dovey supported the appointment.

"I'm glad that such a great lawyer and Federal Way resident would step forward," Dovey said. "He's always put the good of the community ahead of any personal agenda."