Janet Helson at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Janet Helson
Judge · King County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge Janet M. Helson is a nonpartisan judge of Department 7 at the King County Superior Court in Seattle, Washington, appointed in 2015 and serving until 2029
- Joined the King County Superior Court bench in May 2015, succeeding Judge Kimberly Prochnau
- Private Practice: Partner at Skellenger Bender, P.S. (2004–2015), specializing in family law.
- She has also held the role of a pro tem court commissioner and volunteer settlement conference mediator
Education
- University of California, Berkeley School of Law — J.D. (1989)
- in Government (focus: international relations), Harvard/Radcliffe College — B.A. (1984)
Additional information
- Legal Services: 12 years at Columbia Legal Services, including as Regional Director (1996–2004)
- Hon. Betty Fletcher, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (1990–1991).
- Clerkships: Hon. Robert Peckham, U.S. District Court, N.D. Cal. (1989–1990)
- focusing on family law, domestic violence, and kinship care; helped draft Washington’s Child Relocation Act and Parenting Act.
- Judge Helson has volunteered with Legal Voice, coached soccer for Mount Baker/Lakewood Soccer Club, and participated in bono family law programs.
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
King County - Superior Court
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 ↗