SLADE GORTON
Member, Markle Foundation Board of Directors

Slade Gorton's dedication to public service began in 1959 when he was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives where he served for ten years, including the last two as Majority Leader.

In 1969, Mr. Gorton was sworn in as Attorney General for the state of Washington, a post he would hold for three terms. His illustrious career as Attorney General saw him argue fourteen cases before the United States Supreme Court (1973-1980), prompting Chief Justice Warren Burger to comment, "[Slade Gorton] makes the best arguments before the Supreme Court of any Attorney General in America."

Mr. Gorton's most popular achievement as Attorney General was a successful suit against the American League in 1979 to keep major league baseball in Seattle. To this day, he is remembered by fans across the state for "saving the Mariners."

Mr. Gorton served one term in the United States Senate from 1980 until 1986. He was returned to the Senate in 1988 and served two more terms. His time in the Senate saw him appointed to powerful committee posts, including Appropriations, Budget, Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Energy and National Resources. He served as the Chairman of the Interior Appropriation Subcommittee (1995-2001), the Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs (1995-1999), and Aviation (1999-2000). He was a member of the Republican leadership as counsel to the Majority Leader (1996-2000).

Mr. Gorton joined Preston Gates & Ellis LLP (now K&L Gates LLP) in 2001 as of counsel. He served on the National Commission on Federal Election Reform in 2001, and in 2002 was appointed to serve as a Commissioner on the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. In November 2005, Mr. Gorton was appointed to serve on BP Refineries Independent Safety Review Panel. In 2007, he was appointed to serve on the National War Powers Commission and the Bipartisan Policy Center's National Transportation Policy Project.


Other Affiliations:
Board of Directors, Discovery Institute
Miller Center Governing Council, Miller Center of Public Affairs, University of Virginia
Board of Trustees, National Constitution Center
Chairman, Board of Directors, Microvision, Inc.
Board of Directors, Vigilos, Inc.

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