J. Michael Diaz at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
J. Michael Diaz
Judge · Court of Appeals - Division I
Biography
Professional career
- J. Michael “Mike” Diaz is an American judge serving on Division I of the Washington State Court of Appeals since September 2022
- Private Practice: Associate at Fulbright & Jaworski LLP (Houston, 2002–2006) and Yarmuth Wilsdon Calfo PLLC (Seattle, 2006–2008)
- Adjunct Professor of Law, Seattle University School of Law
Education
- Cornell University Law School, member of the Cornell International Law Journal — J.D. (2002)
- in Philosophy, magna cum laude, University of Notre Dame — B.A. (1996)
- Graduate studies in classical philosophy, Princeton University (2 years)
Additional information
- Washington State Courts - Members of the Court of Appeals - Div I Bio - Judge J. Michael Diaz Get Email Updates | FAQs & eService Center Forms Court Directory Opinions Rules Courts Programs & Organizations Resources Courts Home > Courts > Court of Appeals: Members Judge J. Michael Diaz Governor Jay Inslee appointed Judge J. Michael ("Mike") Diaz to Division I of the Washington State Court of Appeals, effective September 2022
- King County Superior Court (2018–2022): Appointed by Governor Inslee, presided over ~40 trials in criminal, civil, and domestic matters; held the role of Chief Judge of the Patricia H. Clark Children & Family Justice Center; chaired multiple court committees
- Official bio: Washington State Courts – Judge J. Michael Diaz
- handling complex commercial and white-collar criminal defense
- Predecessor: James Verellen
- Chair, Washington State Supreme Court’s Interpreter Commission
- Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Division’s Distinguished Service Award
- Faculty at DOJ’s National Advocacy Center, Washington State Judicial Institute, and Washington State Judicial College
- Volunteer and leadership roles in King County Bar Association’s Spanish Language Legal Clinic
- Born in Lima, Peru, Diaz immigrated to Seattle as an infant; his family spoke Spanish at home, and he is the first lawyer in his large Latino family
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 ↗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 ↗