Washington State Court of Appeals Judge J. Robin Hunt announced Friday she will retire from the bench at the end of the year when her current term expires.

Hunt, a Bainbridge Island resident, has served on the Court of Appeals for 18 years and has occasionally served as a pro tem justice for the state Supreme Court.

She said she is retiring to spend more time with family and pursue other interests such as music, physical fitness and involvement in a new mental health court in Kitsap County.

“I am grateful for this opportunity to serve as a judge,” Hunt said.

“Three fulfilling aspects of this demanding job have been bringing to the bench all of life’s learning experiences, being supported by collaborative colleagues and professional staff who consistently go the extra mile, and a deep sense of responsibility to those who encouraged me over the years and to people across the state who have entrusted their cases to the judicial process,” she said.

Hunt serves on Division II of the Court of Appeals based in Tacoma. Division II hears appeals of court cases from Kitsap, Pierce, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Thurston, Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties.

Her retirement will leave the position open for election this year.

The open position will be elected from District 2 by voters from Kitsap, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason and Thurston counties. Court of Appeals judges serve six-year terms.