--- title: "Bill A. Bowman | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/bill-a-bowman-acting-chief-judge-court-of-appeals-division-i-1550-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Bill A. Bowman Court of Appeals - Division I · Acting Chief Judge ## Profile - Court: Court of Appeals - Division I - State: Washington - Role: Acting 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 - 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. ## 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=1550&orgid=121) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1550&orgid=121) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1550&orgid=121) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/16224/bill-a-bowman/) - [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/16224/bill-a-bowman/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/bill-a-bowman-acting-chief-judge-court-of-appeals-division-i-1550-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/bill-a-bowman-acting-chief-judge-court-of-appeals-division-i-1550-wa", "name": "Bill A. 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