Lizanne Padula at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Lizanne Padula
Judge · Pierce County - District Court
Biography
Professional career
- Pierce County, Washington District Court Judge, serving since 2019, with over 24 years of legal experience in prosecution, private practice, and judicial service
- Pierce County District Court Judge (elected 2018, serving 2019–present)
- Private practice: Sole practitioner (1999–2003) Attorney at Goddard, Wetherall, Wonder & Padula (2003–2007) Founder & Principal Attorney at Padula & Associates (2007–2018)
- Legal career: Began as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Pierce County, specializing in domestic violence cases
Education
- University of Cincinnati College of Law — J.D. (1993)
- in Psychology, University of Denver — B.A. (1988)
Additional information
- Judge Padula grew up in Florida and moved to Washington in 1994.
- focusing on criminal law
- Assistant Presiding Judge (current)
- Court phone: 253‐798‐7712
- Recognized for her legal expertise, community engagement, and dedication to justice.
- Other roles: Continuing legal education instructor, former Reserve Police Officer.
- Judicial service: held the role of a Pro Tem Judge in Pierce County District Court before election.
- Extensive pro bono legal services for unrepresented minorities and domestic violence victims
- Volunteer roles: Habitat for Humanity, YMCA Youth Mock Trial Coach, Palmer Scholar Mentor, Mary Meyer Life Fitness Triathlon Volunteer, Washington Coast Cleanup
- Former youth soccer coach
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 - District 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 ↗