Michael K. Ryan at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Michael K. Ryan
Judge · King County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Appointed to the King County Superior Court by Governor Jay Inslee on January 10, 2019, filling the seat previously held by Judge Barbara Mack
- In 2015, he joined the Seattle City Attorney’s Office, defending initiatives such as the Democracy Voucher Program, hotel workers’ rights, and the city’s sanctuary city status
- Began his legal career at Preston Gates & Ellis, eventually becoming a partner at K&L Gates
Education
- Judge Ryan earned his B.S. with high honors from Rutgers College, where he was captain of the Cross-Country and Track and Field teams.
Additional information
- His current term extends through January 9, 2029, and he was re-elected in 2024 without appearing on the ballot.
- After law school, Judge Ryan clerked for Honorable Frank J. Magill of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
- focusing on complex civil, constitutional, municipal, and appellate litigation, including pro bono work on free speech and prisoner rights.
- Judge Ryan values fairness and hard work, principles he brings to his judicial role, ensuring that every case is treated with importance for the parties involved.
- He then attended Georgetown University Law Center, graduating magna cum laude, receiving the Order of the Coif, and serving as Executive Editor of the Georgetown Law Journal.
- He presides over both criminal and civil cases and has conducted multiple jury trials since joining the bench.
- To finance his first year, he worked full-time while attending night classes, reflecting his working-class roots.
- Judge Ryan has been active in civic organizations, serving as Chair of Washington Audubon and as a board member of the ACLU of Washington.
- He grew up in a union family, with his father being a union electrician, and he has participated in political campaigns and donations, though he maintains a nonpartisan judicial role.
- He resides in South Seattle with his wife, two daughters, and a rescue dog.
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
King 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 ↗