---
title: "Arthur D. Klym | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/arthur-d-klym-commissioner-benton-county-superior-court-872-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Arthur D. Klym

Benton County - Superior Court · Commissioner

## Profile

- Court: Benton County - Superior Court
- State: Washington
- Role: Commissioner
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### photography recording

Scope: 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.

Evidence excerpt: 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 judge

[Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### limitations on recording

Scope: statewide

If a Washington judge limits courtroom photography or recording, GR 16 requires particularized findings on the record and treats open access as presumed.

Evidence excerpt: Open access is presumed; limitations on access must be supported by reasons found by the judge to be sufficiently compelling to outweigh that presumption

[Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=872&orgid=305)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=872&orgid=305)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=872&orgid=305)
- [Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Court Commissioner for the Benton-Franklin County Superior Court in Washington, appointed to the bench in 2021
- Before joining the bench, Klym was a partner at Armstrong, Klym & Jameson, P.S. in Benton County

### Education

- Willamette University College of Law — J.D. (1977)
- in History, Walla Walla College — B.A. (1974)

### Additional information

- Practiced privately in the Tri‐Cities since 1980 and held the role of a Guardian ad Litem in family law cases for 25 years.
- focusing on family law, adoptions, estate planning, probate, civil litigation, and real estate matters.
- Office Hours: Court Administration 8:00 am–12:00 pm & 1:00 pm–4:00 pm
- Courts 8:30 am–5:00 pm (times may vary)
- Klym has been active in community theater (Richland Players, Rude Mechanicals), founding board member of the Academy of Children’s Theatre and Three Rivers Children’s Museum Foundation, and volunteer off‐ice official for the Tri‐City Americans hockey team.
- Born in Portland, raised on a chicken farm in Cornelius, Oregon; married to Cheryl, who teaches ESL; three grown children.



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-7133c6bd26c80972b86e0d31) — 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](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.
