Christy Peters, the chief of staff of the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, was honored by the Board of County Commissioners Tuesday for her recent Local Hero Award from the Washington state Bar Association (WSBA).
The Local Hero Award is presented to those who have made noteworthy contributions to their communities, according to the WSBA website. Peters, who has held the position of chief of staff since 2011, earned the award March 21 in recognition of her “mentorship and dedication to community service,” according to a WSBA news release.
She was nominated by her husband, Thurston County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Donald “Rick” Peters Jr., and the Thurston County Bar Association.
Jon Tunheim, Thurston County’s prosecuting attorney, recognized Peters in front of the commissioners and said he “can think of no better person to get this award.”
“We’ve been in the prosecutor’s office for years together, so I could go on and on about her professional contributions and what she’s done for the county, for county government and for the kids of Thurston County that she’s worked to protect over the years in her role as a prosecutor,” Tunheim said. “I speak on behalf of my entire office. We are so proud of Christy for this recognition.”
Peters gave a brief response to Tunheim’s comments and the board’s recognition.
“It’s an honor to be recognized. But, as all of you know, it’s the team that makes it work,” she said. “I thank my current elected (officials) and my past elected (officials) for giving me the opportunity and supporting me in helping out in the community. It’s just been a pleasure.”
In a news release, WSBA President Sunitha Anjilvel described Peters as an “inspiration.”
“We as lawyers and as fellow residents of Washington state are lucky to have people like Peters,” Anjilvel said. “A tireless mentor, educator and community volunteer, Peters is an inspiration.”
As chief of staff, Peters is the No. 2 attorney and responsible for nearly all of the office’s day-to-day operations, personnel issues, grant writing, intern hiring and training, and myriad other daily operations. She previously worked on the special victims team.
According to the WSBA news release, Peters is recognized nationally as a trainer and mentor to her fellow attorneys, giving presentations on such topics as expert witness preparation, child victim interviewing and working with victim advocates. She has served as an instructor for the National District Attorney’s Association, educating other attorneys about child abuse, trial advocacy, pre-trial motions, cross examination and more.
Peters has also spoken before the National Organization of Legal Secretaries, Harborview Trauma Center, and the FBI.
She has served roles with community organizations including, but not limited to, the Olympia School District, Downtown Olympia Rotary, the Junior League of Olympia, the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, the Creative Theatre Experience Board, the Washington state Criminal Justice Task Force focusing on Race and Prosecution 2.0, the Family Support Center Board of Directors, the South Sound Reading Foundation Board and more.
