Nicholas Straley at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Nicholas Straley
Judge · King County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Nicholas B. Straley is a judge on Department 4 of the King County Superior Court in Washington, appointed by Governor Jay Inslee on February 6, 2024, and sworn in March 4, 2024
- He also held the role of a Staff Attorney for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit before joining CLS in 1997.
- In summary: Judge Straley is an experienced litigator with a strong focus on serving vulnerable populations, now serving on the King County Superior Court bench in Seattle, Washington
Education
- Oberlin College — B.A.
- Cornell Law School — J.D.
Additional information
- YouthCare Board of Directors (since 2021) — ending youth homelessness
- JustLead Washington Board of Directors (since 2019)
- He won re‐election in August 2024 without a ballot, as the primary and general election were canceled.
- Washington State Criminal Sentencing Task Force (2019–2023)
- Incarcerated individuals in class action cases
- Appointed to replace the retiring Hon. Mary Roberts.
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 ↗