---
title: "Matthew H. Thomas | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-h-thomas-judge-pierce-county-superior-court-1127-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Matthew H. Thomas

Pierce County - Superior Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Pierce 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=1127&orgid=558)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1127&orgid=558)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1127&orgid=558)
- [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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge of the Pierce County Superior Court in Washington, assigned to Department 13, and was appointed to the bench by Governor Jay Inslee in 2020 to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Hon. Kathryn J. Nelson
- Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Pierce County (1990–1996), lead attorney on the Entitlement Fraud Task Force
- In summary, Judge Matthew H. Thomas is a seasoned legal professional with over two decades in federal and state prosecution, international legal advisory, and academic service, now serving as a judge in Pierce County’s Superior Court
- Teaching & Service: Adjunct faculty at UW Tacoma and Pierce College; volunteer judge for UW School of Law; civic roles in Tacoma Downtown Lions Club and local sailing club
- Detail with the U.S. Department of Justice Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section in San Juan, Puerto Rico

### Education

- B.A., Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa — Washington State University (double major) J.D. — University of Washington School of Law

### Additional information

- Assistant U.S. Attorney (1996–2019) for the Tacoma Branch
- handling a range of civil and criminal matters.
- Active in Superior Court committees on local rules, education, civil case management, and criminal justice procedures.
- handling federal criminal and civil cases in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. held the role of Resident Legal Advisor at the U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua, establishing an anti-corruption training program.



## 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.