Dan F. Kathren at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Dan F. Kathren
Judge · Benton County - District Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge for the Benton County District Court in Washington, serving in Position 3 since his election in 2011
- held the role of Presiding Judge of the Benton County District Court and presided over the Benton County Veterans Therapeutic Court
- Adjunct professor at Columbia Basin College and Washington State University Tri‐Cities
Education
- Gonzaga University School of Law — J.D. (1996)
- in Political Science and Public Administration — Washington State University — B.A. (1992)
Additional information
- Elected to the Benton County District Court in 2011 and re‐elected in 2014.
- In private practice for over 12 years before joining the bench.
- Principal at Kathren & Associates
- handling bankruptcy, criminal defense, contracts, business, divorce/custody, personal injury, and civil litigation.
- Also held the role of a hearings examiner for the City of Pasco.
- Prior to election, was a judge pro tem for over 10 years in Benton and Franklin County District Courts and Pasco Municipal Court.
- Volunteer and commissioner roles in Kennewick Community Education, Richland Arts Commission, and Leadership Tri‐Cities.
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
Benton County - District 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 ↗