--- title: "Michael R. Scott | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-r-scott-judge-king-county-superior-court-3056-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Michael R. Scott 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=3056&orgid=191) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=3056&orgid=191) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=3056&orgid=191) - [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/michael-r-scott-judge-king-county-superior-court-3056-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-r-scott-judge-king-county-superior-court-3056-wa", "name": "Michael R. 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Scott", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-r-scott-judge-king-county-superior-court-3056-wa" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - King County Superior Court Judge in Washington, appointed in 2018 by Governor Jay Inslee, with a background in over 35 years of private legal practice and a strong record in civil rights and public service work - Judge Scott describes himself as patient, respectful, thoughtful, thorough, empathetic, and fair, aiming to balance firm courtroom control with encouraging meaningful participation ### Education - Stanford Law School — J.D. (1982) - B.A. in Political Science & B.S. in Biological Sciences, Stanford University (1979) ### Additional information - Appointed: 2018, replacing Hon. Jeffrey Ramsdell - Former Bainbridge Island City Councilmember (2015–2018) - Arlene’s Flowers case, which the Washington Supreme Court ruled in 2016 found a florist violated state anti‐discrimination laws by refusing to sell flowers to a gay couple. - King County Bar Association President’s Award (2015) - Seattle Business Magazine Community Impact Award (2015) - Before joining the bench, Scott practiced law at Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson from 1982 until his appointment, rising to principal and chair of the Litigation Group. - Product liability, antitrust, and real property/environmental cases - Courtroom: E-912 (per court site) - He also handled notable civil rights matters, including the Ingersoll v. - He emphasizes equal justice for all and access to justice in a diverse society. ## 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.