Nelson K.H. Lee at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Nelson K.H. Lee
Judge · King County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge Lee assumed office in 2020, and his current term runs through January 9, 2029
- Governor Jay Inslee appointed Nelson Lee to the King County Superior Court on February 18, 2020, filling the vacancy left by Judge Bill Bowman
Education
- Pepperdine University School of Law — J.D.
- Bachelor’s degree, Boston College
Additional information
- He won re-election for Department 19 in 2024, with the primary and general elections canceled, effectively securing the position without appearing on the ballot.
- Judge Nelson K.H. Lee presides over Department 19 of the King County Superior Court in Washington State.
- Dispositive motions are typically scheduled on Friday mornings, and parties must comply with court rules when submitting working copies or proposed orders.
- Some media coverage has highlighted cases where Judge Lee, along with other judges, has been perceived as lenient in criminal matters, particularly involving juveniles.
- These reports reflect public commentary on his judicial decisions but do not provide a comprehensive assessment of his overall judicial record.
- Before his appointment, Lee managed his own law firm, Lee & Lee, PS, in Seattle for ten years
- He handles a variety of cases, including civil, criminal, juvenile, and family law matters.
- He also performs weddings Monday through Friday at 4:30 PM and on weekends, with appointments coordinated through his bailiff.
- Judge Lee’s extensive experience as both a prosecutor and private attorney, combined with his leadership roles in legal organizations, contributes to his qualifications and approach on the bench.
- Prior to founding his firm, he served 17 years as a senior deputy prosecuting attorney for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, supervising the Special Assault Unit and co-chairing the Special Drug Unit.
- focusing on immigration, personal injury, wrongful death, and criminal defense cases.
- Asian Bar Association of Washington — past president
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 ↗