--- title: "Matthew P Lapin | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-p-lapin-judge-king-county-maleng-regional-justice-center-mrjc-11655-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Matthew P Lapin 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=11655&orgid=194) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11655&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=11655&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/matthew-p-lapin-judge-king-county-maleng-regional-justice-center-mrjc-11655-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-p-lapin-judge-king-county-maleng-regional-justice-center-mrjc-11655-wa", "name": "Matthew P Lapin | KnowJudges", "description": "Matthew P Lapin, King County - Superior Court. 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Lapin is a judge on Department 8 of the King County Superior Court in Washington, appointed by Governor Jay Inslee on April 11, 2022 to replace retired Judge John Ruhl - Before joining the bench, Lapin held the role of a Court Commissioner (2021) and as a criminal defense attorney with the Law Office of Robert Flennaugh. - His legal career began in 1995 with the King County Prosecutor’s Office under the late Norm Maleng, where he prosecuted sexual assault, domestic violence, and homicide cases, and held supervisory roles. ### Education - University of Miami School of Law — J.D. (1995) - in History, Princeton University — B.A. (1990) ### Additional information - Sworn in on May 4, 2022 and his current term runs until January 9, 2029. - Lapin was re‐elected in the August 6, 2024 nonpartisan judicial election, which was held without a ballot after the primary and general election were canceled. - From 2007–2009, he was Director of Business Development at Lighthouse Document Technologies, a Seattle e‐Discovery company. - Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Lapin is the father of one daughter. ## 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.