--- title: "Bernard F. Veljacic | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/bernard-f-veljacic-chief-judge-court-of-appeals-division-ii-9956-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Bernard F. Veljacic Court of Appeals - Division II · Chief Judge ## Profile - Court: Court of Appeals - Division II - State: Washington - Role: Chief Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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 ## 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=9956&orgid=122) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=9956&orgid=122) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=9956&orgid=122) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/16231/bernard-f-veljacic/) - [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) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/16231/bernard-f-veljacic/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/bernard-f-veljacic-chief-judge-court-of-appeals-division-ii-9956-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/bernard-f-veljacic-chief-judge-court-of-appeals-division-ii-9956-wa", "name": "Bernard F. 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