John O. Cooney at a glance
- Current role
- Acting Chief Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
John O. Cooney
Acting Chief Judge · Court of Appeals - Division III
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Biography
Professional career
- Appointed to the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division III, by Governor Jay Inslee in August 2023, succeeding Judge Laurel Siddoway upon her retirement
- He held the role of an adjunct professor at Gonzaga University from 2013 to 2021, teaching courses on criminal justice
- In 2020, he held the role of the chief criminal judge for the Spokane County Superior Court
- Beyond his judicial duties, Cooney has been active in civics education, speaking to elementary and middle school students about the criminal justice system
- He has been particularly active in therapeutic courts, serving as the presiding judge of the Spokane County District Court's Veterans' Court and promoting specialized court programs
Education
- Gonzaga University School of Law in — J.D. (2000)
Additional information
- He represents District 1 and his current term extends through January 12, 2031, having won re-election in the November 2024 general election.
- He later ran unopposed for the Spokane County Superior Court in 2012, where he presided over hundreds of trials, including family law, civil, and criminal cases.
- Began his judicial career in 2006 when elected to the Spokane County District Court.
- Before joining the bench, Cooney practiced law at Cooney Law
- focusing on criminal defense and administrative appeals.
- He and his wife are also active in the local running community, having competed in the Boston Marathon and served as race director for the Autumn Classic Colbert Half Marathon.
- His extensive trial experience has been highlighted as a key qualification for his appellate role.
- Judge Cooney’s career reflects a combination of judicial experience, community engagement, and legal expertise, making him a prominent figure in Washington State’s appellate judiciary.
- Judge Cooney is a lifelong resident of Eastern Washington.
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 - Division III
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 ↗