Bill A. Bowman at a glance
- Current role
- Acting Chief Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Bill A. Bowman
Acting Chief Judge · Court of Appeals - Division I
Biography
Professional career
- Judge Bill Bowman was appointed to the Washington Court of Appeals, Division I by Governor Jay Inslee in January 2020 and assumed office on January 24, 2020, with his current term ending on January 10, 2027
- Judge, Court of Appeals of Washington, ?-present
- Actively involved in legal education, serving as an Affiliate Trial Advocacy Professor at the University of Washington School of Law and a past Dean of the Washington State Judicial College
Education
- B.A. from the University of Washington and a J.D. from California Western School of Law.
Additional information
- Running for re-election in the general election on November 3, 2026, after the primary scheduled for August 4, 2026, was canceled.
- He also mentors young lawyers and law students and participates in civics education programs for students from elementary through high school.
- Judge Bowman’s career reflects a combination of extensive trial experience, judicial leadership, and commitment to legal education, making him a prominent figure in Washington State’s appellate judiciary.
- Judge Bowman resides on a small farm in south King County with his wife and raised their two children there.
- He enjoys hockey, trail running, surfing, skiing, hiking, and traveling, often engaging in these activities with his family and dog.
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 I
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 ↗