---
title: "David E. Freeman | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-e-freeman-judge-whatcom-county-superior-court-3370-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# David E. Freeman

Whatcom County - Superior Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Whatcom County - Superior 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=3370&orgid=716)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=3370&orgid=716)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=3370&orgid=716)
- [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

- 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.



## 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.