David S. Mann at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
David S. Mann
Judge · Court of Appeals - Division I
Biography
Professional career
- Judge, Court of Appeals of Washington, ?-present
Education
- In 1988, he transitioned to law, earning his J.D. with honors and a certificate in Environmental Law from Lewis & Clark Law School in 1991.
- B.S. in Geology and Physics (Geophysics) from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1982.
- Lewis & Clark College — J.D.
Additional information
- His current term extends through January 10, 2027.
- He held the role of Chief Judge from 2020 to 2022 and is currently the senior judge on Division I.
- David S. Mann was appointed to Division I of the Washington State Court of Appeals by Governor Jay Inslee in August 2016 and subsequently retained by election in 2017 and reelected in 2020.
- Notably, he successfully argued a Freedom of Information Act case before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2011.
- He has presided over a wide range of appellate cases, including environmental, land-use, property, water, and administrative law matters, and has contributed to statewide judicial administration initiatives.
- Judge Mann also serves on the Washington Board of Judicial Administration and the Judicial Information Systems Executive Committee.
- Judge Mann resides in Seattle’s Ravenna neighborhood with his wife, Everett Municipal Court Judge Remy Leonard, and their two pugs.
- He held a position as a professional geophysicist for six years, exploring for oil in the U.S. and Africa, and completed coursework toward a master’s in groundwater hydrology.
- focusing on state and federal environmental law, land-use, property disputes, water law, and administrative law.
- He enjoys travel, live music, building arts and crafts furniture, trail running, and long walks.
- His personal interests reflect a strong engagement with both the arts and outdoor activities, complementing his professional dedication to law and public service.
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
Court of Appeals - Division I
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 ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View CourtListener judicial biographical directory ↗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 ↗