Michelle "Shelley" D. Szambelan at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Michelle "Shelley" D. Szambelan
Judge · Spokane County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- She had been serving as a Spokane Municipal Court judge since 2008, later becoming Presiding Judge (2013–2017) and Assistant Presiding Judge (2009–2013)
- She also held private practice in civil litigation (1992–1999) and clerked for the Arizona Court of Appeals
- Civic Involvement: Mentor for Washington State Minority & Justice Commission, Street Law Program, and various school boards
- Michelle “Shelley” D. Szambelan is a judge of the Spokane County Superior Court, Washington, assigned to Department 10, Courtroom 4A, and currently serves as a Therapeutic Court Judge
Education
- Gonzaga University School of Law, Publications Editor, Gonzaga Law Review — J.D. (1991)
Additional information
- Appointed by Governor Jay Inslee in 2018 to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Hon. Linda G. Tompkins.
- Acting City Prosecutor (2005–2006)
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
Spokane 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 ↗