--- title: "Michael S. Spearman | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-s-spearman-8465" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-09" --- # Michael S. Spearman Court of Appeals of Washington · Judge ## Profile - Court: Court of Appeals of Washington - State: Washington - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Court of Appeals of Washington, 2010-present - Judge on Division I of the Washington State Court of Appeals from 2010 until his retirement in July 2018 - In summary: Michael S. Spearman was a highly experienced Washington judge with a career spanning public defense, private practice, mediation, and appellate jurisprudence, recognized for his leadership in the King County Superior Court and his contributions to judicial reform ### Education - New York University School of Law in — J.D. (1981) - Brown University in — B.A. (1974) - Polytechnic Institute of New York University — J.D. - New York University School of Law. [...] the firm of Adler, Giersch and Read — J.D. ### Additional information - Born in Lawrence, Kansas, Spearman has lived in Seattle since 1983. - Retirement: July 31, 2018. - Elections: Re‐elected in 2011 and 2017; in 2017 he defeated Nathan Choi in the general election for Position 2 on Division I. - Appointed in May 2010 by Governor Chris Gregoire to succeed retired Judge Susan Agid. - Appointed: May 2010 by Governor Christine Gregoire to succeed retired Judge Susan Agid. - Mediator/Arbitrator (2007–2010): With Judicial Dispute Resolution. - King County Superior Court Judge (1993–2007): Served in all departments, including 3 years as Chief Judge of the Criminal Department, 8 years on the Executive Committee, and 2 years as Assistant Presiding Judge. - Private Practice (1986–1988): Attorney at Adler, Giersch and Read. - He was also a machinist for Union Steward (IAM) from 1974–1978. - Other roles: Civilian auditor for the Seattle Police Department’s Office of Professional Accountability. - held the role of Presiding Chief Judge of Division I. - Washington State Courts - Members of the Court of Appeals - Div I Bio - Judge Michael S. Spearman Prior to his judicial career Judge Spearman was a trial lawyer in the areas of criminal defense, family law and personal injury. - Public defender with The Defender Association, where he supervised the Felony Division; the Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons; and the Office of the Federal Public Defender. ## 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.courtlistener.com/person/8465/michael-s-spearman/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8465/michael-s-spearman/) - [Court of Appeals of Washington current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8465/michael-s-spearman/) - [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) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8465/michael-s-spearman/) - [Washington State Courts - Members of the Court of Appeals - Div I Bio - Judge Michael S. Spearman](https://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts/bios?fa=atc_bios.display&folderid=div1&fileID=Spearman) - [Michael Spearman](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Spearman) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-s-spearman-8465", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-s-spearman-8465", "name": "Michael S. Spearman | KnowJudges", "description": "Michael S. Spearman, Court of Appeals of Washington. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-09", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-s-spearman-8465#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-s-spearman-8465#judge", "name": "Michael S. 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[...] the firm of Adler, Giersch and Read" } ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Washington", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/washington" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Michael S. Spearman", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-s-spearman-8465" } ] } ] } ``` ## 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.