David E. Freeman at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
David E. Freeman
Judge · Whatcom County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Presiding Judge in Department 4 of the Whatcom County Superior Court in Bellingham, Washington, appointed by Governor Jay Inslee on January 28, 2020
- Senior deputy prosecuting attorney for the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
- Nine years as a review judge in the Commissioner’s Review Office of the Washington State Employee Security Department
Education
- Western Washington University — B.A.
- Willamette University College of Law — J.D.
Additional information
- Sworn in on February 13, 2020.
- Appointed to fill a vacancy created when Hon. Raquel Montoya-Lewis was elevated to the Washington State Supreme Court.
- As Presiding Judge of Department 4, he oversees a caseload that includes civil, family, property, and other matters handled under the Superior Court’s jurisdiction.
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
Whatcom 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 ↗