--- title: "Janet Helson | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/janet-helson-judge-king-county-superior-court-11635-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Janet Helson King County - Superior Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: King County - Superior Court - State: Washington - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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=11635&orgid=191) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11635&orgid=191) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11635&orgid=191) - [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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/janet-helson-judge-king-county-superior-court-11635-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/janet-helson-judge-king-county-superior-court-11635-wa", "name": "Janet Helson | KnowJudges", "description": "Janet Helson, King County - Superior Court. 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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. ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-7133c6bd26c80972b86e0d31) — 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](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.