Amber Austin at a glance
- Current role
- Commissioner
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Amber Austin
Commissioner · Pierce County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Pierce County, Washington Superior Court Commissioner, appointed in February 2024, who previously held a position as a family law attorney for over a decade.
- Ran her own private practice for over a decade, also offering mediation and collaborative law services. held the role of a Title 26 Guardian ad Litem, Title 11 Court Visitor, and Pro Tem Court Commissioner
Education
- BA in Communication, Western Washington University Paralegal Studies, Tacoma Community College Juris Doctor (JD), Florida Coastal School of Law, 2006
Additional information
- Appointed in February 2024 to fill the vacancy left by Commissioner Craig Adams, with her official swearing-in on January 22, 2024.
- Legal Career: Began practicing law in 2007, specializing in family law — divorce, child support, custody, paternity, and domestic violence matters.
- Certified Family Mediator through Pierce County Center for Dialogue and Resolution.
- One of the ten full-time Superior Court Commissioners in Pierce County, WA, presiding over matters in divisions such as Civil, Juvenile, Civil Mental Health, Adoptions, and Criminal.
- Community Involvement: Co-President, Pierce County chapter, Washington Women Lawyers Board member for Pierce County Lawyers Helping Hungry Children, Tacoma Community College Paralegal Advisory Committee, and Collaborative Law Professionals of Pierce County.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
Washington GR 16 allows video recording, audio recording, and still photography by the news media in courtrooms only after the judge has expressly granted permission.
Video and audio recording and still photography by the news media are allowed in the courtroom during and between sessions, provided (1) that permission shall have first been expressly granted by the judgeWashington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media ↗
Statewide
If a Washington judge limits courtroom photography or recording, GR 16 requires particularized findings on the record and treats open access as presumed.
Open access is presumed; limitations on access must be supported by reasons found by the judge to be sufficiently compelling to outweigh that presumptionWashington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media
Pierce County - Superior Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster ↗Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media ↗