Washington Court of Appeals

The Washington Court of Appeals is the intermediate appellate court for the state of Washington. The court is a non-discretionary appellate court. This means that it must accept, review and issue a written decision for all appeals filed with it, unlike the Washington State Supreme Court, which can reject an appeal.

There are 22 judges on the Court of Appeals. The court is divided into three divisions: Division 1 (10 judges) is based in Seattle, Division 2 (seven judges) is based in Tacoma, and Division 3 (five judges) is based in Spokane. Cases are heard by a panel of three judges from the division to which it is appealed. There is no en banc review available for a division or the entire Court of Appeals. Judges from one division may serve as a pro tem visiting judge on another division.^[1]

• Published opinions of the Washington Court of Appeals can be found here.

 

Washington Court of Appeals
Court information
Judges:	22
Salary:	Associates: $235,188[2]
Judicial selection
Method:	Nonpartisan election of judges
Term:	6 years

Judges

Washington Court of Appeals Division I

Judge	Tenure	Appointed By
Bill Bowman	January 24, 2020 - Present	Jay Inslee
Lori Smith	August 1, 2018 - Present	Jay Inslee
David S. Mann	August 16, 2016 - Present	Jay Inslee
Janet Chung	April 25, 2022 - Present	Jay Inslee
Ian Birk	May 9, 2022 - Present	Jay Inslee
J. Michael Diaz	September 1, 2022 - Present	Jay Inslee
Leonard Feldman	March 15, 2023 - Present	Jay Inslee
Stephen Dwyer	November 30, 2005 - Present	Election
Linda Coburn	January 11, 2021 - Present	Election
Cecily Hazelrigg-Hernandez	January 14, 2019 - Present	Election

Washington Court of Appeals Division II

Judge	Tenure	Appointed By
Meng Li Che	December 1, 2022 - Present	Jay Inslee
Bradley A. Maxa	August 1, 2013 - Present	Jay Inslee
Linda C.J. Lee	January 6, 2014 - Present	Jay Inslee
Rebecca Glasgow	January 14, 2019 - Present	Election
Erik D. Price	2021 - Present	Jay Inslee
Anne Cruser	March 8, 2019 - Present	Jay Inslee
Bernard Veljacic	January 1, 2021 - Present	Jay Inslee

Washington Court of Appeals Division III

Judge	Tenure	Appointed By
Robert Lawrence-Berrey	March 1, 2014 - Present	Jay Inslee
Megan Murphy	January 13, 2025 - Present	Jay Inslee
Tracy Arlene Staab	January 11, 2021 - Present	Election
John Cooney	August 1, 2023 - Present	Jay Inslee
George Fearing	June 24, 2013 - Present	Jay Inslee

Former judges

• Beth Andrus
• Marlin Appelwick
• David Armstrong
• J. Robin Hunt
• Jill M. Johanson
• Kevin Korsmo
• Christine Quinn-Brintnall
• Ann Schindler
• Laurel Siddoway
• Michael Spearman
• Lisa L. Sutton
• Michael Trickey
• James Verellen
• Lisa Worswick
• Rebecca Pennell

Judicial selection

See also: Judicial selection in Washington

The 22 judges of the Washington Court of Appeals are selected through contested nonpartisan elections and must run for re-election when their terms expire. Appeals court judges serve for six years.^[3]

Qualifications

To serve on the court of appeals, a judge must be:

• a resident of his or her district for at least one year;
• admitted to practice law in the Washington courts for at least five years.^[4]

Presiding chief judge

The presiding chief judge for all three divisions is chosen through a peer vote and has a set term of one year.^[4]

Vacancies

See also: Gubernatorial appointment of judges

In the event of a midterm vacancy, the governor appoints a replacement. The appointee serves until the next general election, at which point he or she may run to serve for the remainder of the predecessor's term.^[5] If the resignation and subsequent appointment takes place after the filing period opens for that year's elections, the appointee must stand in the next year's election to remain on the bench.

Salary

In 2024, the associate judges of the court received a salary of $235,188, according to the National Center for State Courts.^[6]

Elections

2024

See also: Washington intermediate appellate court elections, 2024

The terms of eight Washington intermediate appellate court judges expired on January 12, 2025. The eight seats were up for nonpartisan election on November 5, 2024. A primary was scheduled for August 6, 2024.

Candidates and results

Division I, District 1, Position 4

General election

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Leonard Feldman advanced from the primary for Washington Court of Appeals Division I District 1.

Division I, District 1, Position 7

General election

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Janet Chung advanced from the primary for Washington Court of Appeals Division I District 1.

Division I, District 3, Position 1

General election

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Cecily Hazelrigg-Hernandez advanced from the primary for Washington Court of Appeals Division I District 3.

Division II, District 1, Position 3

General election

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Linda C.J. Lee advanced from the primary for Washington Court of Appeals Division II District 1.

Division II, District 2, Position 2

General election

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Rebecca Glasgow advanced from the primary for Washington Court of Appeals Division II District 2.

Division II, District 3, Position 1

General election

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Bernard Veljacic advanced from the primary for Washington Court of Appeals Division II District 3.

Division III, District 1, Position 1

General election

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent John Cooney advanced from the primary for Washington Court of Appeals Division III District 1.

Division III, District 3, Position 2

General election

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Robert Lawrence-Berrey advanced from the primary for Washington Court of Appeals Division III District 3.

2023

See also: Washington intermediate appellate court elections, 2023

The terms of four Washington intermediate appellate court judges expired on January 7, 2024. The seats were up in a nonpartisan election on November 7, 2023. A primary was scheduled for August 1, 2023.

Judges with expiring terms

■ Meng Li Che
■ J. Michael Diaz
■ Leonard Feldman
■ Lori Smith

2022

See also: Washington intermediate appellate court elections, 2022

Candidates and election results

Division I, District 1, Position 1

General election

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Ian Birk advanced from the primary for Washington Court of Appeals Division I District 1.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Ken Schubert (Nonpartisan)

Division I, District 1, Position 7

General election

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Janet Chung advanced from the special primary for Washington Court of Appeals Division I District 1.

Division I, District 2, Position 1

General election

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Stephen Dwyer advanced from the primary for Washington Court of Appeals Division I District 2.

Division II, District 1, Position 1

General election

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Bradley A. Maxa advanced from the primary for Washington Court of Appeals Division II District 1.

Division II, District 2, Position 1

General election

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Erik D. Price advanced from the special primary for Washington Court of Appeals Division II District 2.

Division II, District 3, Position 2

General election

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Anne Cruser advanced from the primary for Washington Court of Appeals Division II District 3.

Division III, District 2, Position 1

General election

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent George Fearing advanced from the primary for Washington Court of Appeals Division III District 2.

2021

See also: Washington intermediate appellate court elections, 2021

Candidates and election results

Division 1, District 1

General election candidates

• James Verellen  (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔

Primary candidates

This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:

• James Verellen  (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔

Division 2, District 3

General election candidates

• Bernard Veljacic  (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔

Primary candidates

This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:

• Bernard Veljacic  (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔

2020

See also: Washington intermediate appellate court elections, 2020

Candidates and results

Division 1, District 1, Position 5

General election

Division 1, District 1, Position 6

General election

Division 1, District 2, Position 2

General election

Division 2, District 1, Position 2

General election

Division 2, District 2, Position 1

General election

Division 3, District 1, Position 2

General election

Division 3, District 3, Position 1

General election

2019

See also: Washington intermediate appellate court elections, 2019

Candidates and results

Division 1, District 1, Position 1

General election candidates

• John Chun  (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔

Division 1, District 1, Position 2

General election candidates

• Lori Smith  (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔

Division 2, District 3, Position 2

General election candidates

• Anne Cruser  (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔

2018

See also: Washington intermediate appellate court elections, 2018

Candidates and results

General election

Washington Court of Appeals General Elections 2018
Incumbents are marked with an (i) after their name.
Office	Candidates
District 1	Beth Andrus (i)
District 1	Marlin Appelwick (i)
District 3	Cecily Hazelrigg-Hernandez  Tom SeGuine
District 1	Linda C.J. Lee (i)
District 2	Rebecca Glasgow
District 3	Rich Melnick (i)
District 1	Laurel Siddoway (i)
District 3	Robert Lawrence-Berrey (i)

Primary election

Washington Court of Appeals Primary Elections 2018
Incumbents are marked with an (i) after their name.
Office	Candidates
District 1	This primary was canceled.
District 1	This primary was canceled.
District 3	Cecily Hazelrigg-Hernandez  Lisa Keeler  Rita Latsinova  Roger Leishman  Tom SeGuine
District 1	This primary was canceled.
District 2	This primary was canceled.
District 3	This primary was canceled.
District 1	This primary was canceled.
District 3	This primary was canceled.

2017

Division 1

The terms of Judges David S. Mann and Michael Spearman ended on January 7, 2018. Both chose to stand for election in 2017 in order to remain on the court. Mann ran unopposed. Spearman faced attorney Nathan Choi for Position 2.

Position 2

■ Michael Spearman (Incumbent)
■ Nathan Choi

Position 5

■ David S. Mann (Incumbent)

2016

Candidates

Election results

November 8 general election

Incumbent Michael Trickey ran unopposed in the general election for the Washington Court of Appeals, Division 1, District 1.

Washington Court of Appeals, Division 1, District 1, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Michael Trickey Incumbent (unopposed)	100.00%	632,098
Total Votes (100% reporting)	632,098
Source: Washington Secretary of State Official Results

Incumbent Stephen Dwyer ran unopposed in the general election for the Washington Court of Appeals, Division 1, District 2.

Washington Court of Appeals, Division 1, District 2, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Stephen Dwyer Incumbent (unopposed)	100.00%	254,988
Total Votes (100% reporting)	254,988
Source: Washington Secretary of State Official Results

Incumbent Bradley A. Maxa ran unopposed in the general election for the Washington Court of Appeals, Division 2, District 1.

Washington Court of Appeals, Division 2, District 1, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Bradley A. Maxa Incumbent (unopposed)	100.00%	236,749
Total Votes (100% reporting)	236,749
Source: Washington Secretary of State Official Results

Incumbent Jill M. Johanson ran unopposed in the general election for the Washington Court of Appeals, Division 2, District 3.

Washington Court of Appeals, Division 2, District 3, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Jill M. Johanson Incumbent (unopposed)	100.00%	211,205
Total Votes (100% reporting)	211,205
Source: Washington Secretary of State Official Results

Incumbent George Fearing defeated Patrick McBurney in the general election for the Washington Court of Appeals, Division 3, District 2.

Washington Court of Appeals, Division 3, District 2, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
George Fearing Incumbent	53.60%	86,411
Patrick McBurney	46.40%	74,813
Total Votes (100% reporting)	161,224
Source: Washington Secretary of State Official Results

Incumbent Rebecca Pennell ran unopposed in the general election for the Washington Court of Appeals, Division 3, District 3.

Washington Court of Appeals, Division 3, District 3, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Rebecca Pennell Incumbent (unopposed)	100.00%	106,059
Total Votes (100% reporting)	106,059
Source: Washington Secretary of State Official Results

2015

 Unopposed   Judge James Verellen

See also: Washington judicial elections, 2015

2014

Unopposed	Judge Michael Trickey (Division 1, District 1, Position 1)

Unopposed	Judge Linda Lau (Division 1, District 1, Position 5)

Unopposed	Judge Ann Schindler (Division 1, District 1, Position 6)

Unopposed	Judge Robert Leach (Washington) (Division 1, District 2, Position 2)

Unopposed	Judge Bradley A. Maxa (Division 2, District 1, Position 1)

Unopposed	Judge Lisa Worswick (Division 2, District 1, Position 2)

Unopposed	Judge Linda C.J. Lee (Division 2, District 1, Position 3)

Unopposed	Judge Lisa L. Sutton (Division 2, District 2, Position 1)

Unopposed	Judge Rich Melnick (Division 2, District 3, Position 1)

Unopposed	Judge Kevin Korsmo (Division 3, District 1, Position 2)

Unopposed	Judge Stephen Brown (Washington) (Division 3, District 3, Position 1)

Unopposed	Judge Robert Lawrence-Berrey (Division 3, District 3, Position 2)

2013

Division 1, District 1

Candidate	Incumbency	Primary Vote	Election Vote
James Verellen	Yes		100%

Division 3, District 2

Candidate	Incumbency	Primary Vote	Election Vote
John Gary Metro	No		30.0%
George Fearing	Yes		70.0%
Terry J. Bloor	No	Withdrew%

See also: Washington judicial elections, 2013

2012

Division 1

Candidate	Incumbency	Office	Primary Vote	Election Vote
Marlin Appelwick	Yes	Division I	100%	100%
Mary Kay Becker	Yes	Division I	100%	100%
Ronald Cox	Yes	Division I	100%	100%

Division 2

Candidate	Incumbency	Office	Primary Vote	Election Vote
Brendan Williams
Christine Quinn-Brintnall	Yes	Division 2	100%	100%
Jim Foley (Washington)	No	Position 7	14.69%
Joel Penoyar	Yes	Division 2	100%	100%
Michael Lynch (Washington)	No	District 2	13.69%
Pamela Loginsky	No	District 2	27.57%	47.69%
Thomas Bjorgen	No	Division II	18.18%	52.31%
Thomas E. Weaver, Jr.	No	District 2	10.18%

Division 3

Candidate	Incumbency	Office	Primary Vote	Election Vote
Devin Poulson	No	District 3	41.49%
Laurel Siddoway	Yes	Division III	100%	100%
Teresa Kulik	Yes	Division 3	58.81%	100%

See also: Washington judicial elections, 2012

Ethics

The Washington Code of Judicial Conduct sets forth ethical guidelines and principles for the conduct of judges and judicial candidates in Washington. It consists of four canons:

• Canon 1: "A Judge Shall Uphold and Promote the Independence, Integrity, and Impartiality of the Judiciary, and Shall Avoid Impropriety and the Appearance of Impropriety"
• Canon 2: "A Judge Should Perform the Duties of Judicial Office Impartially, Competently, and Diligently"
• Canon 3: "A Judge Shall Conduct the Judge’s Personal and Extrajudicial Activities to Minimize the Risk of Conflict with the Obligations of Judicial Office"
• Canon 4: "A Judge or Candidate for Judicial Office Shall not Engage in Political or Campaign Activity that is Inconsistent with the Independence, Integrity, or Impartiality of the Judiciary"^[7]

The full text of the Washington Code of Judicial Conduct can be found here.

Removal of judges

Judges in Washington may be removed in one of two ways:

• By the supreme court after an investigation by the commission on judicial conduct; an investigation may be sparked by a complaint of judicial misconduct or because of judicial disability. The commission holds a hearing and evaluates a case, after which it may recommend supreme court action.
• By a joint resolution of the legislature, with the consent of three-fourths of each house.^[8]

Noteworthy cases

• Head shake sufficient to halt interrogation (2015)

Click for summary→

In 2013, Pasco, Wash., police interrogated a teenager about a burglary. When asked if he wished to remain silent, the teen allegedly nodded his head. The officers, however, continued to interrogate the teen, and, ultimately, he made incriminating statements. Before trial, the teen's attorney moved to suppress those statements as being illegal because the teen indicated he did not want to speak with the officers, but they continued the interrogation anyway. Franklin County Superior Court Judge Bruce A. Spanner granted that motion to suppress. The prosecutors appealed the ruling. The Washington Court of Appeals heard arguments and read briefs filed by both sides. It ruled on April 28, 2015, that the teen's head movement was a clear signal he did not wish to speak with officers, which is his right, and the officers violated the teen's constitutional rights by continuing the interrogation. Though prosecutors argued that the head movement was an ambivalent movement that could express a multitude of thoughts, the three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals said that a suspect does not need to verbally assert his right to remain silent. The conduct and body language of the teen was sufficient. To put it more succinctly, Judge Robert Lawrence-Berrey, writing for the panel, said, "no means no."[9] Articles: Tri-City Herald, "Appeals court agrees ‘no means no’ when Pasco cops questioned burglary suspect," April 28, 2015

State profile

Demographic data for Washington
	Washington	U.S.
Total population:	7,160,290	316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):	66,456	3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:	77.8%	73.6%
Black/African American:	3.6%	12.6%
Asian:	7.7%	5.1%
Native American:	1.3%	0.8%
Pacific Islander:	0.6%	0.2%
Two or more:	5.2%	3%
Hispanic/Latino:	12%	17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:	90.4%	86.7%
College graduation rate:	32.9%	29.8%
Income
Median household income:	$61,062	$53,889
Persons below poverty level:	14.4%	11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Washington. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Presidential voting pattern

See also: Presidential voting trends in Washington

Washington voted for the Democratic candidate in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.

Pivot Counties (2016)

Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, five are located in Washington, accounting for 2.43 percent of the total pivot counties.^[10]

Pivot Counties (2020)

In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Washington had four Retained Pivot Counties and one Boomerang Pivot County, accounting for 2.21 and 4.00 percent of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respectively.

More Washington coverage on Ballotpedia

• Elections in Washington
• United States congressional delegations from Washington
• Public policy in Washington
• Endorsers in Washington
• Washington fact checks
• More...

See also

Washington	Judicial Selection	More Courts
Courts in Washington Washington Court of Appeals Washington Supreme Court	Elections: 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 Gubernatorial appointments Judicial selection in Washington	Federal courts State courts Local courts

External links

• Washington Courts, "Appellate & Trial Courts of Washington"
• Washington Courts, "Washington State Court Directory: Court of Appeals"
• Washington Courts, "Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Opinions"

Footnotes

v • e Washington Court of Appeals
Current
Former	Debra Stephens  •  Gerry Alexander  •  Susan Agid  •  Mary Kay Becker  •  Ronald Cox  •  Anne Ellington  •  Kenneth Grosse  •  Linda Lau  •  Robert Leach (Washington)  •  David Armstrong (Washington)  •  C.C. Bridgewater  •  Elaine Houghton  •  J. Robin Hunt  •  Joel Penoyar  •  Christine Quinn-Brintnall  •  Marywave Van Deren  •  Kevin Korsmo  •  Teresa Kulik  •  John Schultheis  •  Dennis Sweeney  •  Jill M. Johanson  •  Lisa Worswick  •  Michael Trickey  •  Rich Melnick  •  Charlie Wiggins  •  Michael Spearman  •  Laurel Siddoway  •  Lisa L. Sutton  •  Thomas Bjorgen  •  James Verellen  •  John Chun  •