Carolyn Cliff at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Carolyn Cliff
Judge · Island County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Elected judge of the Island County Superior Court in Washington, serving since November 2020, with a long career in judicial and legal roles in the region
- In addition to judicial service, she maintained a private civil litigation practice in Langley, WA for nearly 30 years, closing her office in 2017
- Langley Municipal Court Judge (2002–2004)
- Superior Court Commissioner (1997–1998)
Education
- in Political Science — Swarthmore College — B.A.
- University of Washington School of Law — J.D.
Additional information
- Elected to the Island County Superior Court bench on November 3, 2020 to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Hon. Vickie I. Churchill.
- Before her election, Cliff served 20 years as a pro tem judge for the Island County Superior Court and also as a pro tem judge for the Island County District Court.
- She presides over a variety of cases, including family matters such as domestic violence, child support, and other civil matters.
- Member of the University of Washington Law Review, Order of the Coif (academic excellence), and Order of the Barristers (oral advocacy).
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
Island County - Superior Court
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 ↗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 ↗