Lise Schumacher at a glance
- Current role
- Commissioner
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Lise Schumacher
Commissioner · Pierce County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Solo practitioner in Tacoma (1998–2003) Assistant City Attorney, Tacoma (2003–2004) Pierce County Public Defender (2005–2023) Assistant City Attorney, Lakewood (2023–2024) Assistant Attorney General for Washington State (2022–present)
- Washington State attorney and judicial officer who began serving as a Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner in January 2025
- Judicial Service: Pro Tem Commissioner and Judge in multiple courts (Thurston County Superior & District Courts, Olympia & Fife Municipal Courts, Pierce County Superior Court)
Education
- J.D., Seattle University School of Law (Tacoma, WA), 1997 B.S., St. Joseph’s University (Philadelphia, PA), 1988
Additional information
- Lise K. Schumacher was appointed as one of two new Superior Court Commissioners for Pierce County, WA, starting January 6, 2025, alongside Alex Kirigin.
- Licensing: Licensed in Hawaii (1997) and Washington (1998) state and federal courts
- Commissioners preside over various court divisions, including civil, juvenile, civil mental health, adoptions, and criminal cases.
- Former President of the Golf Committee, Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association
- Board Director, L’Arche Tacoma Hope (supporting people with disabilities)
- Volunteer with WA State Special Olympics, Down Syndrome Buddy Walk, Parent to Parent, A Step Ahead Pierce County, and Early Childhood Court
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
Pierce 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 ↗