---
title: "Clinton Johnson | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/clinton-johnson-commissioner-pierce-county-superior-court-1159-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Clinton Johnson

Pierce County - Superior Court · Commissioner

## Profile

- Court: Pierce County - Superior Court
- State: Washington
- Role: Commissioner
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## 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=1159&orgid=558)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1159&orgid=558)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1159&orgid=558)
- [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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Current role: Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, confirmed by the Liberian Senate in July 2024 to replace the late Justice Joseph Nagbe
- Current role: Commissioner of the Pierce County Superior Court in Washington, USA
- Court contact: Pierce County Superior Court, Tacoma, WA — Clerk’s phone: +1 (253) 798‐7455

### Education

- University of Puget Sound School of Law — J.D. (1984)

### Additional information

- Nomination: Proposed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in June 2024; confirmed with a unanimous 22‐0 vote.
- Appointment: Joined the bench in 2010.
- Faubion, Johnson, Reeder & Fraley, P.S., Lakewood, Washington — partner before the bench
- handling estate planning, business law, real estate, and bankruptcy matters.
- Professional memberships: Tacoma–Pierce County Bar Association, Washington State Bar Association; former member of Tacoma Estate Planning Council; past president of Rotary Club.
- Case examples: Presided over domestic violence protection cases and divorce matters in Pierce County.



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-7133c6bd26c80972b86e0d31) — 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](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.