Superior Court administrator stepping down
David Hardy gives up the rare position today of telling judges what to do.
Hardy, 58, the Spokane County Superior Court administrator, hangs up his paper clips after a career that started in 1976 with his first job as a courtroom clerk. He was promoted to court administrator in 1994.
“The biggest improvement since I’ve been here is how the court manages the caseload,” Hardy said. “In the past, we waited for attorneys to let us know when they were ready for trial. Now, the court has more control.”
For example, when Hardy started with the court, officials had to process about 8,000 cases a year.
“Now it’s up to about 24,000,” Hardy said. “It’s really been an interesting and fulfilling job. I never had a dull moment.”
Hardy’s replacement is coming from across the concrete courtyard between the courthouse and the Public Safety Building. Spokane County District Court Administrator Ron Miles has been selected to replace Hardy.
Superior Court Judge Ellen Kalama Clark said Hardy will be missed.
“He has an incredibly difficult job. He has to keep 12 judges, six court commissioners and a staff of 15 happy all the time. That’s almost impossible,” Clark said. “But he did it well. It will be a big loss. But we are happy to have Ron.”
Hardy is retiring from a job that paid $81,774. Miles, who was making more money in his job in District Court, received approval from Spokane County human resources officials to keep his current salary of $89,900, Clark said.
“We are fortunate to have Ron Miles,” Clark said. “He is very familiar with the same issues, personnel and procedures.”
Diane Robertson, the assistant Superior Court administrator, worked with Hardy during his entire 30-plus years with the county.
“He’s a good guy,” Robertson said.
“He was easy to work for. He’s a good person and he let you do your job. He’s my friend.”
Another longtime colleague, Heidi Clarke, who is the criminal court coordinator, also had good things to say.
“I loved working for him,” said Clarke, who is married to Superior Court Judge Harold Clarke III.
“I’m sad he’s leaving. But I can understand it’s time. You can’t make him work forever.”
Hardy earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal research from Eastern Washington University.
“When I came on as a clerk, I would walk by and see what the court administrator did and said, ‘That’s really what I want to be,’ ” he said.
Hardy said he’ll take the spring and summer off, stay at home and play some golf.
“And later in the fall, I’ll look for a job,” he said, smiling. “I’d like to go into real estate or something like that. That would be a good place to go.”