Meet Elisabeth

I am Elisabeth Tutsch. I was raised by a minister and a teacher. I absorbed my parents’ values of responsibility, fairness, compassion and service to others. Starting from a young age, they volunteered me in their service projects. Their dedication and commitment led to my career as a lawyer in public service.

I came to Yakima right after I graduated from the University of Washington School of Law in 1997. I have lived in Yakima my entire career. I wanted to connect with our community more effectively, so I took Spanish classes at YVC and La Casa Hogar, along with Spanish immersion courses. While I am not bilingual, I can communicate effectively in Spanish.

As a lawyer, I represented individuals and families in cases involving housing, domestic violence, elder abuse, access to public services, and consumer protection. Other lawyers respected my work, and I was elected to serve as President of the Yakima County Bar Association in 2010.

Like my parents, I look for opportunities to serve my community. I joined the boards of Yakima Hard Core Runners, La Casa Hogar, and other organizations. In 2004, I saw there was no place for homeless youth to find help. I worked with other volunteers to start Rod’s House. I was a founding board member until 2016.

In 2017, the judges of the Yakima County Superior Court appointed me to serve as a full time Court Commissioner after a comprehensive selection process. They also gave me their unanimous support when I was appointed to serve as a Superior Court Judge in 2020.

When I’m not at work, I love being with my husband and son and our families, preferably outdoors!  My husband and I volunteer in our son’s school weekly. We are teaching him the joy of community service, like my parents taught me. I believe each of us has gifts that can be used to strengthen our community.

With my parents and brothers in 1977

Rod’s House 2010

Meet Elisabeth

I am Elisabeth Tutsch. I was raised by a minister and a teacher. I absorbed my parents’ values of responsibility, fairness, compassion and service to others. Starting from a young age, they volunteered me in their service projects. Their dedication and commitment led to my career as a lawyer in public service.

With my parents and brothers in 1977

As a lawyer, I represented individuals and families in cases involving housing, domestic violence, elder abuse, access to public services, and consumer protection. Other lawyers respected my work, and I was elected to serve as President of the Yakima County Bar Association in 2010.

Like my parents, I look for opportunities to serve my community. I joined the boards of Yakima Hard Core Runners, La Casa Hogar, and other organizations. In 2004, I saw there was no place for homeless youth to find help. I worked with other volunteers to start Rod’s House. I was a founding board member until 2016.

Rod’s House 2010

In 2017, the judges of the Yakima County Superior Court appointed me to serve as a full time Court Commissioner after a comprehensive selection process. They also gave me their unanimous support when I was appointed to serve as a Superior Court Judge in 2020.

When I’m not at work, I love being with my husband and son and our families, preferably outdoors!  My husband and I volunteer in our son’s school weekly. We are teaching him the joy of community service, like my parents taught me. I believe each of us has gifts that can be used to strengthen our community.