David L. Whedbee at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
David L. Whedbee
Judge · King County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Nonpartisan judge on Department 1 of the King County Superior Court in Washington, appointed in 2019 and serving until 2029, with a background in civil rights law and public service
- Law clerkships for U.S. District Judge Helen G. Berrigan (E.D. La.) and U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Ronald M. Gould (9th Cir.)
Education
- University of Washington School of Law — J.D. (2004)
- in French and German literature, magna cum laude, Pomona College — B.A.
Additional information
- He was a board member and cooperating attorney for the ACLU of Washington, serving as its Washington representative to the National Board in 2018.
- Paraplegic after a 1997 rock climbing accident and has been active in disability law advocacy.
- M.A. in International History, London School of Economics (1997)
- On the bench, Judge Whedbee emphasizes improving access to Washington courts, physically and otherwise, and serves on the Courts and Community and Local Rules Committees.
- All‐American scholar‐athlete in soccer
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
King 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 ↗