Hillary Madsen at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Hillary Madsen
Judge · King County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge Hillary Madsen is a nonpartisan judge for Department 13 of the King County Superior Court in Washington, assigned to dependency cases, elected in 2020 and re‐elected in 2024, with a background in law, advocacy, and community service
Education
- Seattle University School of Law — J.D.
Additional information
- 2024: Re‐elected without appearing on the ballot (primary canceled)
- Joined the King County Superior Court on January 11, 2021.
- 2020: Elected to Department 13, defeating Andrea Robertson (53.6% to 46.0%)
- Law Offices of Mackenzie Sorich PLLC
- Assignment: Dependency cases
- Bailiff: Erin O’Connor
- She also completed a fellowship with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and volunteered with the Family Law Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and Dependency Law programs.
- Judge Madsen has been active in organizations focused on children and youth, including homelessness response, foster care, and juvenile legal systems.
- Her work has included visits to prisons, jails, and detention centers.
- She is raising three children with her spouse in King County.
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 ↗