--- title: "James Verellen | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-verellen-8471" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # James Verellen Court of Appeals of Washington · Judge ## Profile - Court: Court of Appeals of Washington - State: Washington - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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. ## 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.courtlistener.com/person/8471/james-verellen/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8471/james-verellen/) - [Court of Appeals of Washington current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8471/james-verellen/) - [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/8471/james-verellen/) - [Washington State Courts - Members of the Court of Appeals - Div I Bio - Judge James R. Verellen](https://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts/bios?fa=atc_bios.display&folderid=div1&fileID=Verellen#:~:text=Judge%20James%20R.-,Verellen,from%20Willamette%20University%20in%201976.) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-verellen-8471", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-verellen-8471", "name": "James Verellen | KnowJudges", "description": "James Verellen, Court of Appeals of Washington. 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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](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.