Clarence Henderson at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Clarence Henderson
Judge · Pierce County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Clarence Henderson, Jr. is a judge of the Pierce County Superior Court in Washington, appointed by Governor Jay Inslee in March 2020 to Department 21
- Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner (Jan 2019 – Mar 2020)
- Department of Assigned Counsel (Jan 2006 – Dec 2019), including lead counsel in the Delinquency Division
- In summary, Judge Henderson is a seasoned legal professional with extensive experience in public service, human rights, and youth legal outreach, now serving as a judge in Pierce County’s Superior Court
Education
- Regent University School of Law — J.D. (2004)
- Norfolk State University — B.A. (1999)
Additional information
- Appointed: March 20, 2020, by Governor Jay Inslee, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Hon. Frank Cuthbertson
- Commissioner, Washington State Human Rights Commission (2012–2019)
- Co‐founder of the Youth Law Institute (2018), promoting legal careers for students of color
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
Pierce 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 ↗