--- title: "Karen L. Strombom | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-l-strombom-9636" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Karen L. Strombom U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington · Magistrate ## Profile - Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington - State: Washington - Role: Magistrate - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge (2003–2017) — Appointed April 1, 2003, to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. held the role of Chair of the Ninth Circuit Magistrate Judges Executive Board (2008–2010) - Pierce County Superior Court Judge (1990–2003) — Appointed by Washington Governor Booth Gardner to Department 18, later serving as Presiding Judge in 1996 - Retired U.S. federal judge and former Pierce County Superior Court Judge ### Education - B.A. in American Civilization from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point in 1974 and a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison Law School in 1978. - B.S. — University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point in 1974 ### Additional information - Magistrate, District Court, W.D. Washington, 2003-present - Retired from the federal bench on April 28, 2017. - In summary: Karen L. Strombom’s career spans state and federal judicial service, leadership in judicial associations, and active community engagement, culminating in a distinguished 24-year judicial career before her retirement in 2017. - Appointed to this position on April 1, 2003, and she retired from the bench on April 28, 2017. - Appointed Chief Magistrate Judge (2009–2012). - She became a shareholder in 1984. - Born September 21, 1950, in Marshfield, Wisconsin. - After returning to Washington, Strombom held a position as a legal secretary, then joined the Tacoma law firm Burgess, Kennedy, Fitzer & Strombom - focusing on insurance defense. - President of the Federal Magistrate Judges Association. - Judge Strombom grew up in Wisconsin, with a brief family move to Tacoma, Washington, when her father served in the National Guard. - She was admitted to the bars of both Wisconsin and Washington the same year. - She is married to Joel Parker and enjoys travel, reading, and spending time with her extended family. ## 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/9636/karen-l-strombom/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9636/karen-l-strombom/) - [U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9636/karen-l-strombom/) - [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/9636/karen-l-strombom/) - [Karen L. Strombom](https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/about-federal-judges/judicial-milestones/karen-l-strombom) - [Karen Strombom - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Karen_Strombom) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-l-strombom-9636", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-l-strombom-9636", "name": "Karen L. Strombom | KnowJudges", "description": "Karen L. Strombom, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-02", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-l-strombom-9636#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-l-strombom-9636#judge", "name": "Karen L. 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Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-criminal-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.