The Metropolitan King County Council today voted unanimously to appoint Dan Satterberg to serve as Acting King County Prosecuting Attorney, to oversee the duties and operations of the office following the passing last week of longtime Prosecutor Norm Maleng.

“I want to thank you for your confidence in me,” Satterberg told the Council, after he was sworn into office by Superior Court Judge Richard Eadie. “It is my commitment to you and the people of King County and the people of the prosecutor’s office to do my best every day to live up to this great honor. I will try to do what I think Norm would want us to do every day, to keep this being a professional, non-partisan office that provides justice.”

Satterberg has served as Chief of Staff to Norm Maleng since 1990, with responsibility for general oversight of the office as well as the administrative functions of budget, human resources, media relations, community and governmental relations, and legislative and policy matters. He was originally hired into the Criminal Division of the office in 1985, where he tried all types of criminal cases. Satterberg, 47, is a graduate of Highline High School in Burien, the University of Washington , and the University of Washington Law School. He lives in Normandy Park with his wife and two children.

“Dan Satterberg is the perfect choice to serve as the Acting Prosecuting Attorney,” said Council Chair Larry Gossett. “As Norm Maleng's longtime Chief of Staff, Dan is an accomplished attorney and comes with the recommendation of his colleagues. We have the utmost confidence that Dan will be able to lead the prosecutor's office in this difficult time.”

"Mr. Satterberg brings a tremendous amount of experience to the office, which will provide important stability while the process to appoint and elect King County 's next prosecuting attorney unfolds," said Council Vice Chair Julia Patterson.

“Dan has served as Norm’s chief of staff and has served King County long and well during his entire legal career,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, chair of the Council’s Law, Justice and Human Services Committee. “I have no doubt that he will be able to carry on the legacy of justice with compassion that Norm Maleng established for King County . We are fortunate that Norm left us so well prepared, which was a hallmark of his incomparable service to King County.”

It’s fitting that the man entrusted by Prosecutor Norm Maleng as his Chief of Staff be appointed to maintain stability and continuity in the King County Prosecutor’s Office during this difficult time,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. "Dan Satterberg is a professional of the highest order; the King County Prosecutor's Office is in excellent hands."

"He was the trusted Chief of Staff to Norm Maleng. He is an excellent choice as the Acting Prosecuting Attorney," said Councilmember Jane Hague.

“No one better understands the principles of professionalism, fairness, and heart by which Norm Maleng led, than Dan Satterberg,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. “He is well-suited to continue Norm’s vision for justice in our community.”

“Dan Satterberg was Norm Maleng’s handpicked chief of staff,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson. “He is the logical person to run the prosecutor's office during this difficult time of transition.”

“Right now the prosecutor’s office must focus on dealing with the grief of losing a boss and a friend, while picking up and continuing on,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn. “Dan has been a trusted member of Norm’s staff for years. He is the right person to lead the office through this tough time.”

Maleng’s son Mark addressed the Council on behalf of his family and thanked the community for its outpouring of support. “He truly loved his job and the challenges he faced each day, including working with you to make King County the best it could be,” he said, adding, “It is so important that his work continue, and there is no one more qualified to act as prosecutor than Dan Satterberg. He is a man of principle, integrity and humility.”

Under the state Constitution, the Council must now appoint an interim successor to fill the vacancy left by Mr. Maleng, and serve as prosecuting attorney until the next general election. As the office is a partisan one, the Council will make the appointment from a list of three nominees submitted by the Republican Central Committee of King County. The Council must act within 60 days.

Voters on November 6 will then elect a candidate to take office immediately upon certification of the election on November 27, and serve the three years remaining on Mr. Maleng’s unexpired term, which runs through December 2010. The filing period for candidates this year is June 4 -8 for the August primary.

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system and type in “2007-0338”