Bradley A. Maxa at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Bradley A. Maxa
Judge · Court of Appeals - Division II
Biography
Professional career
- Judge, Court of Appeals of Washington, 2013-present
- Nonpartisan judge of the Washington Court of Appeals, Division II, serving since 2013 and currently holding the position of Chief Judge of Division II
Education
- Marshall‐Wythe School of Law, College of William & Mary, Order of the Coif, William & Mary Law Review editor — J.D. (1985)
- College of William & Mary — B.A. (1982)
Additional information
- Elected: Pierce County voters in 2014 and 2016; re‐elected in 2022
- Leadership: held the role of Chief Judge of Division II (2018–2020) and Presiding Chief Judge of all three divisions (2020–2021)
- Appointed: August 5, 2013, by Governor Jay Inslee
- Committee roles: Chair of the Court of Appeals Rules Committee; active in the Judges in the Classroom program
- Named a Washington “Super Lawyer” multiple times
- received the Best Lawyers in America designation.
- Judge Maxa has authored over 140 published opinions, including the highly cited Viking Bank v.
- App.
- Official bio: Washington State Courts — Judge Bradley A. Maxa.
- Ordained Elder and substitute preacher at Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church in Puyallup, volunteering with the Freezing Nights Program for homeless adults.
- Before joining the court, Judge Maxa practiced law for 28 years as a trial and appellate attorney at Gordon Thomas Honeywell in Tacoma, where he chaired the firm’s Appellate Advocacy Group.
- Member, Washington Appellate Lawyers Association
- He mentors through the Palmer Scholars program, coaches youth sports, and supports the YMCA State Mock Trial competition.
- He has also served on the Emergency Food Network’s Board of Directors.
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 ↗