Page 15 - Pierce County Lawyer - July August 2025

Farewell
to Dependency Court
I have completed my final rotation at Juvenile Court.
I served as the Dependency Commissioner in 2011
and 2019 for one-year terms, and for the past eighteen
months as a Judge. It has been an honor to work alongside
such incredible professionals; the social workers, guardians
ad litem, attorneys for parents and youth, and Assistant
Attorneys General who serve families with passion, empathy,
and resilience. Dependency proceedings are about much
more than just applying the law. Dependency cases involve
nuanced decisions that shape a child’s life and a family’s
future. Professionals in Dependency Court must have a
solid grasp of child development and trauma; they must
understand and be sensitive to cultural and linguistic
diversity; they must understand how relationships and
roles within families function, including the impact of
substance use, domestic violence, and mental health; they
must know the resources available for counseling, parenting
classes, housing aid, and addiction treatment to develop
plans to reunite families; and they must work collaboratively
outside the courtroom at meetings to serve the needs of
families in crisis.
While each professional has a different role in Dependency
proceedings and they view interests through different
lenses, they all share a strong commitment to advocating for
vulnerable children and families. They deeply care about the
challenges faced by children and parents in the Dependency
system. Dependency work is emotionally taxing, but these
professionals are remarkably resilient. They manage stress
that many professionals working in the legal system do
not understand, yet the professionals in our Dependency
courtrooms work tirelessly to ensure children’s safety, to
facilitate family reunification, and to serve the best interests
of children.
These professionals never complain about the demands of
new legislation; instead, they work hard to meet the never-
ending challenges brought about by legislative changes. I
witnessed these professionals cry during tragedies caused by
drug addiction and mental health challenges, and celebrate
the success of families reuniting. I am humbled by the deep
commitment of all the professionals who serve families at
Juvenile Court. I am at a loss for words to fully convey my
admiration and gratitude for all who work with families at
Remann Hall. These professionals inspire me when I watch
their dedication and hard work. I am deeply thankful for the
privilege to have served as a Dependency Judge at Juvenile
Court.
With great gratitude,
Diana Kiesel, Judge
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