James Verellen at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Current assignment
- Court of Appeals of Washington
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
James Verellen
Judge · Court of Appeals of Washington
Biography
Professional career
- Judge, Court of Appeals of Washington, 2012-present
- James R. Verellen is a retired judge of the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division I, District 1, who served from November 1, 2012, until July 31, 2022
- Commissioner (1992–2011) — Division I, Washington Court of Appeals
- Law clerk for the Honorable Vernon Pearson at Division II of the Washington State Court of Appeals
- He also worked as a mediator, arbitrator, and litigation consultant for Judicial Dispute Resolution, LLC
Education
- Willamette University School of Law — J.D. (1976)
- in Political Science — Washington State University — B.A. (1973)
Additional information
- Retired on July 31, 2022, succeeded by J. Michael Diaz.
- In 2021, Verellen ran for re-election in the general election on November 2, 2021, winning with 98.8% of the vote.
- Appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire on November 1, 2012, to the Court of Appeals.
- Private practice — 14 years in civil litigation
- Mediation, arbitration, and litigation consulting
- handling motions for discretionary review, emergency motions, and other matters.
- Before that, he had a 14-year private practice in civil law with the firm now known as Vandeberg, Johnson and Gandara.
- He was a law clerk for Hon. Vernon Pearson at Division II of the Washington State Court of Appeals immediately after law school.
- Verellen has served on boards for youth ballet and baseball organizations, coached youth soccer and basketball, and has spoken at Seattle area high schools and law schools about judicial selection.
- He was the first honorary member of the Washington Appellate Lawyers Association.
- He lives in West Seattle with his wife, Claudia, and their three adult children and families.
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 of Washington
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 June 30, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Court of Appeals of Washington current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View Court of Appeals of Washington current judicial profile ↗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 ↗