--- title: "Gary B. Bashor | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/gary-b-bashor-judge-cowlitz-county-superior-court-882-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Gary B. Bashor Cowlitz County - Superior Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Cowlitz 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=882&orgid=360) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=882&orgid=360) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=882&orgid=360) - [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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/gary-b-bashor-judge-cowlitz-county-superior-court-882-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/gary-b-bashor-judge-cowlitz-county-superior-court-882-wa", "name": "Gary B. 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Bashor", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/gary-b-bashor-judge-cowlitz-county-superior-court-882-wa" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Previous role: Court Commissioner for Cowlitz County Superior Court since 1999 - Department 1 judge on the Cowlitz County Superior Court in Washington, appointed in 2011 by then‐Governor Christine Gregoire to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon. James Edgar F. Xavier Warme - Legal career: Staff attorney at C. Michael McLean P.S. (bankruptcy, estate planning, family law) Solo practice (1988–2002) focusing on family law, juvenile court, mental health defense, and bankruptcy Mediation certificate from National Judicial College (2009) Arbitration and mediation in family law cases (2009–2011) ### Education - Lewis & Clark Law School — J.D. (1983) - in Business Administration, Lewis & Clark College — B.A. (1980) ### Additional information - Appointed: 2011 by Gov - Judge Bashor presides over cases in Cowlitz County’s Superior Court, including family, juvenile, and other civil matters - Civic service: Served on multiple boards, including the Lower Columbia Council on Substance Abuse Board, Cowlitz County Substance Abuse Advisory Board, Columbia Theater Task Force Board, and Cowlitz County Planning Commission - He has also been recognized for leadership in court programs, such as reinvigorating the family reunification drug court for Juvenile Court and improving the Adult Drug Court - Judge Bashor has chaired the Superior Court Judges’ Association Technology Committee, served on the Washington State Superior Court Case Management Software Project Steering Committee, and was a member of the Washington State Child Support Workgroup and the Legislative Ethics Board ## 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.