Ian S. Birk at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Ian S. Birk
Judge · Court of Appeals - Division I
Biography
Professional career
- Washington State Court of Appeals Division I judge since 2022, with a 20‐year career as a civil litigator, and is currently running for the Washington State Supreme Court in 2026
- Early Career: Judicial law clerk to a Washington State Supreme Court Justice
- Private Practice: Partner at Keller Rohrback LLP for over two decades
- Judge, Court of Appeals of Washington, ?-present
- Judge Birk emphasizes equal access to justice, equal treatment under the law, and fair outcomes in all cases
- Race: Seeking Position 4 on the Washington State Supreme Court, replacing retiring Justice Charles Johnson
Education
Additional information
- Appointed: April 2022 by Governor Jay Inslee; retained seat in 2022 retention election
- focusing on insurance and consumer protection law
- Opponent: Judge Sean O’Donnell
- Endorsements: Support from current/former Supreme Court justices, judges, legal professionals, and elected officials statewide.
- He has represented indigent renters, challenged insurance denials, and worked with marginalized communities.
- Public Service: Over 10 years as a volunteer attorney with King County Bar Association Neighborhood Legal Clinics, providing free legal aid
- Other Roles: Board member, Washington Courts Historical Society.
- Official site: Court bio: Washington State Courts
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 ↗