Faye R. Chess at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Faye R. Chess
Biography
Professional career
- Elected judge of the Seattle Municipal Court, serving from January 2023 to January 2027, with a career spanning over two decades in law, public service, and community leadership
- Deputy General Counsel & Interim General Counsel for Seattle Housing Authority
- Chess’s work contributes to the court’s mission of delivering fair, equitable, and efficient justice in Seattle
- She has also been an instructor for multiple legal, HR, and youth justice programs, and is a graduate of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy
Education
- J.D. from University of Cincinnati College of Law Member of the Washington State Bar Association, Federal Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, and Loren Miller Bar Association.
Additional information
- She was re‐elected in November 2022 for a term ending January 11, 2027.
- Appointed to the Seattle Municipal Court in April 2018 after serving as a magistrate, and was first elected in November 2018.
- Before joining the municipal court, Chess served over 22 years as a Judge Pro Tempore in King County District Court.
- Assigned to General Trial Courtroom KCJ2.
- Seattle Municipal Court judges handle jury trials, pretrial hearings, sentencing, arraignments, bench trials, and marriage ceremonies.
- Active in Greater Seattle Chapter of Links, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and Jack and Jill of America, and has served on boards for Amara (Medina Children Services), Mediation Services for Victims and Offenders, and Park Lake/White Center Boys and Girls’ Club.
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 - Municipal Courts - Seattle
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 ↗