--- title: "Kristin Ballinger | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kristin-ballinger-judge-king-county-maleng-regional-justice-center-mrjc-11660-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Kristin Ballinger King County - Superior Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: King County - Superior Court - State: Washington - Role: Judge - 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=11660&orgid=194) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11660&orgid=194) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11660&orgid=194) - [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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kristin-ballinger-judge-king-county-maleng-regional-justice-center-mrjc-11660-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kristin-ballinger-judge-king-county-maleng-regional-justice-center-mrjc-11660-wa", "name": "Kristin Ballinger | KnowJudges", "description": "Kristin Ballinger, King County - Superior Court. 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William L. Dwyer (1999–2001) ### Education - Columbia University School of Law — J.D. (1998) - Bachelor’s in History from Whitman College (1993) ### Additional information - Trustee of the Washington State Superior Court Judges’ Association and King County Bar Foundation. - In her first two years, Ballinger focused on child welfare cases, leading a workgroup to rewrite court rules for greater clarity and fairness. - She has since managed hundreds of civil cases, tried numerous criminal and civil trials, and emphasized procedural fairness and mental health support for litigants. - Professional Recognition: Ranked Practitioner by Chambers & Partners, ABA Fellow, U.S. News Best Lawyers, and Washington State Super Lawyers list. - Serves on the Court’s Executive Committee and various local/statewide rules committees. - Encourages early judicial conferences to resolve disputes efficiently. ## 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.