Other LanguagesOLYMPIA -- Attorney General Christine Gregoire today announced the appointment of Assistant Attorney General Mary E. Fairhurst as the next chief of the office's Revenue Division.
The division provides legal services to the Washington Department of Revenue, which administers and collects the state's major excise taxes. The Revenue Division also administers Washington's unclaimed-property law and addresses legal issues related to the administration of the state property-tax system.
"The Department of Revenue and all citizens of the state are fortunate to have someone with Mary's broad legal background and leadership experience directing this important part of the Attorney General's Office," Gregoire said.
Fairhurst currently serves in the Attorney General's Criminal Justice Division, where she is team leader of the corrections unit, representing the Department of Corrections on civil rights cases and other legal issues.
A 1984 graduate of Gonzaga Law School, Fairhurst joined the Attorney General's Office in 1986. Her first position was in the Revenue Division, where she handled excise tax, property tax, inheritance tax, unclaimed property and personnel matters. Later assignments included work in the AG's Administration and Transportation divisions.
In 1997-98, Fairhurst served as president of the Washington State Bar Association, during which time she worked closely with members of the legal profession and public on access-to-justice, legal ethics, and other issues facing the profession.
"The challenges confronting this state as we work to address taxation issues, including the implementation of Initiative 695, are numerous and far-reaching," Fairhurst said of her appointment as Revenue Division chief. "I look forward to this exciting opportunity to work with Revenue division members as we provide advice and counsel on these important matters."
Fairhurst will replace current Revenue Division Chief Leland Johnson, who is retiring after a 25-year career in the Attorney General's Office.
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