---
title: "Dan F. Kathren | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/dan-f-kathren-judge-benton-county-district-court-891-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Dan F. Kathren

Benton County - District Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Benton County - District Court
- State: Washington
- Role: Judge
- 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=891&orgid=308)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=891&orgid=308)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=891&orgid=308)
- [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

- 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.



## 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.