Mark W. Pouley at a glance
- Current role
- Associate Justice
- Court
- Tribal Courts - Colville Court of Appeals
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Mark W. Pouley
Associate Justice · Tribal Courts - Colville Court of Appeals
Biography
Professional career
- Pro tem Judge & Appellate Justice — Lummi Tribal Court and Court of Appeals since 1996
- Chief Judge, Sauk-Suiattle Tribal Court — Served from 2006 to 2015
- Chief Judge, Swinomish Tribal Court — Appointed in March 2004 and served until 2015
- As of now, Judge Pouley serves as an Associate Justice on the Colville Court of Appeals, a tribal court within Washington’s judicial system
- Also recognized as a pro tem judge and appellate justice for the Northwest Intertribal Court System
- Judge Pouley has been active in tribal justice leadership, contributing to intertribal cooperation, gender and justice initiatives, and legal education
- Associate Justice of the Colville Court of Appeals and a former Chief Judge of the Swinomish Tribal Court, with extensive experience in tribal and intertribal judicial service in Washington state
- In summary: Mark W. Pouley is a seasoned tribal court judge with a long-standing role in Washington’s Native American judicial system, currently serving on the Colville Court of Appeals and with a distinguished record as Chief Judge of the Swinomish Tribal Court
- Before joining the bench, Judge Pouley practiced law as a partner at Cole & Cole in Stanwood, WA.
Education
- J.D., Thomas M. Cooley Law School (Magna Cum Laude, 1991)
- Communications, Wayne State University — M.A. (1985)
- Political Science & Communications, Gonzaga University — B.A. (1984)
Additional information
- He also taught tribal government and tribal courts at Everett Community College (2011–2015).
- Member — Washington State Gender and Justice Commission
- Washington Tribal and State Court Consortium.
- His career reflects a deep commitment to Native American legal systems and community service.
- Past roles — Board member, National American Indian Court Judges Association; member, Northwest Tribal Court Judges Association.
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
Tribal Courts - Colville Court of Appeals
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 ↗