---
title: "David S. Mann | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-s-mann-judge-court-of-appeals-division-i-992-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# David S. Mann

Court of Appeals - Division I · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Court of Appeals - Division I
- State: Washington
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## 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.

## 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=992&orgid=121)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=992&orgid=121)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=992&orgid=121)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/16222/david-s-mann/)
- [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)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/16222/david-s-mann/)
- [Wikidata: David S. Mann](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105815923)

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## 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.
