--- title: "Ian S. Birk | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ian-s-birk-judge-court-of-appeals-division-i-11143-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Ian S. Birk 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 - 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 ## 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=11143&orgid=121) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11143&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=11143&orgid=121) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/16227/ian-s-birk/) - [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/16227/ian-s-birk/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ian-s-birk-judge-court-of-appeals-division-i-11143-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ian-s-birk-judge-court-of-appeals-division-i-11143-wa", "name": "Ian S. 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