Kevin M. Korsmo at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Current assignment
- Court of Appeals of Washington
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Kevin M. Korsmo
Judge · Court of Appeals of Washington
Biography
Professional career
- Judge, Court of Appeals of Washington, 2008-present
- Appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire on January 31, 2008, taking office February 13, 2008, as a judge of the Court of Appeals, Division III
- In 1990, he joined the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office
Education
- (with honors) in, University of Washington School of Law — J.D. (1982)
- in, North Dakota State University — B.S. (1979)
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus — J.D.
Additional information
- He was re‐elected in 2014 but did not seek re‐election in 2020, retiring January 10, 2021.
- Retired judge of the Washington Court of Appeals, Division III, who served from 2008 until 2021, including terms as Presiding Chief Judge and chair of the Court of Appeals Rules Committee.
- He later held the role of Presiding Chief Judge from April 4, 2014, and chaired the Court of Appeals Rules Committee.
- handling or supervising over 2,000 criminal appeals in Division Three.
- Active in chess, serving as president of the Spokane Chess Club, volunteering as a high school coach, and directing major Eastern Washington chess events.
- Before joining the court, Korsmo worked in private legal practice for one year, then as a trial attorney in the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office for four years, later becoming an appellate attorney there.
- Korsmo resides in Spokane, is married, and has four children.
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 of Washington
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 June 30, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Court of Appeals of Washington current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View Court of Appeals of Washington current judicial profile ↗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 ↗