Katherine L. Svoboda at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Katherine L. Svoboda
Biography
Professional career
- The Presiding Judge of the Grays Harbor County Superior Court in Washington, elected in 2020 as the first woman to serve on the county’s bench
- Notable Firsts: First woman elected judge in Grays Harbor County; also first female Prosecuting Attorney in the county’s office (2014–2020)
- Prosecution Career: Joined the Grays Harbor County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in 2004 as a deputy; subsequently became the first female Prosecuting Attorney in 2014
Education
- B.A. in English Language and Literature, Washington State University (1997) J.D., Gonzaga University School of Law (2003)
Additional information
- Election: Elected in 2020 to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Hon. Stephen E. Brown
- Early Work: Mortgage underwriter at Timberland Savings Bank before law school; interned with Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
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
Grays Harbor 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 ↗