Bernard F. Veljacic at a glance
- Current role
- Chief Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Bernard F. Veljacic
Chief Judge · Court of Appeals - Division II
Biography
Professional career
- Chief Judge Bernard F. Veljacic is the Chief Judge of the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II, a position he has held since 2021 and which he won in the November 5, 2024 general election
- Clark County Superior Court Judge (2014–2020) — appointed April 28, 2014
- Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Clark County (2001–2010, 2011–2020)
- Co‐Founder & Director, Union Gospel Mission Legal Services (1998–2001)
- Chief Judge for Division II of the Washington Court of Appeals, covering District 3
- Off the bench, Veljacic is active in Rotary Club, the YMCA Youth and Government Mock Trial program, Habitat for Humanity, and as a high school Street Law visiting teacher
Education
- Seattle University School of Law — J.D. (1998)
- in Political Science & Government, Whittier College — B.A. (1994)
Additional information
- His term runs through January 12, 2031
- Originally appointed by Governor Jay Inslee on December 8, 2020, to replace the late Rich Melnick
- General Counsel, Barker Martin, Portland (2010–2011)
- He has co‐founded a legal clinic, held the role of a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, and represented clients in diverse matters
- In his judicial role, he presides over a broad range of cases, including family law, therapeutic court, civil, and criminal matters, with a focus on listening to all parties and applying the law fairly
- He is a member of the George and Donald Simpson Inns of Court, Latino/a Bar Association of Washington, Clark County Bar Association, Washington State Superior Court Judges Association, and has served on the Washington Clemency and Parole Board and the Washington State Bar Association Character and Fitness Board
- He also coaches sports and enjoys hiking, hunting, and fishing
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
Court of Appeals - Division II
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 ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View CourtListener judicial biographical directory ↗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 ↗