Beth M Andrus at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Current assignment
- Court of Appeals of Washington
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Beth M Andrus
Judge · Court of Appeals of Washington
Biography
Professional career
- Judge of the Year — King County Chapter, Washington Women Lawyers (2016)
- Began her legal career as a law clerk to Judge Gerald Heaney of the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals (1988–1989)
- Judge, Court of Appeals of Washington, ?-present
- Her practice included employment law, intellectual property, commercial litigation, construction law, and appellate advocacy
Education
- Master’s in Judicial Studies, University of Nevada, Reno (2016) Her master’s thesis examined the “vanishing civil trial” in King County Superior Court.
- University of Minnesota Law School — J.D. (1988)
- in French and Speech/Public Relations, Wayne State University — B.A. (1985)
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities — J.D.
Additional information
- Outstanding Judge of the Year — King County Bar Association (2017) She was also recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for arbitration.
- Retirement: Andrus retired from the judiciary in March 2023.
- After retiring from the bench, Andrus rejoined Skellenger Bender, P.S. in September 2023 as Of Counsel
- Appointed to Court of Appeals (2018): Governor Jay Inslee appointed Andrus to Division I of the Washington Court of Appeals in June 2018.
- King County Superior Court (2010–2018): Appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire in July 2010, she presided over civil, criminal, family law, dependency, and psychiatric commitment cases.
- Woman of the Year — Seattle University Law School & Women’s Law Caucus (2017)
- Notable fact: In 2016, President Barack Obama nominated her to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, but the nomination expired without action.
- Date of birth: 1963-10-03
- Before joining the bench, Andrus had over 20 years in private practice with Seattle firms Schweppe Krug & Tausend, Miller Nash, and Skellenger Bender.
- focusing on arbitration, mediation, appellate consulting, and special master services, particularly in commercial and construction law disputes.
- Court’s Executive Committee, was Assistant Presiding Judge, and managed the civil department as Chief Civil Judge.
- Judge Andrus lives in Seattle with her husband, Mark, and enjoys beachcombing, crabbing, and mushrooming on Hood Canal.
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 of Washington
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 June 30, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Court of Appeals of Washington current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View Court of Appeals of Washington current judicial profile ↗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 ↗