---
title: "Jessica Tsao | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jessica-tsao-commissioner-court-of-appeals-division-i-1008-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Jessica Tsao

Court of Appeals - Division I · Commissioner

## Profile

- Court: Court of Appeals - Division I
- State: Washington
- Role: Commissioner
- 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=1008&orgid=121)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1008&orgid=121)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1008&orgid=121)
- [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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Commissioner Jessica Tsao is a judge on the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division I, appointed in February 2026, with a background in law, civil litigation, and public service
- Early Career: Joined the Court of Appeals in 2018 as a law clerk, transitioning from a technology transactions practice at a major Seattle law firm
- Court Service: Progressed to staff attorney, then senior staff attorney, before her current judicial appointment.

### Education

- Degrees: B.S.E.E. and J.D. from the University of Washington.

### Additional information

- Appointed: February 2, 2026, by the Court of Appeals, Division One.
- Other Experience: Civil litigation, business advising, and representation in commercial insolvency proceedings.
- Origins: Born and raised in the Seattle area.
- Volunteer Work: Long-time volunteer tutor with the Youth Tutoring Program in Seattle’s public housing communities; former board member of the Asian Bar Association of Washington and its Student Scholarship Foundation.
- Personal Interests: Outrigger canoe paddling in the Pacific Northwest.



## 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.
