---
title: "Nicholas Straley | KnowJudges"
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page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Nicholas Straley

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=11391&orgid=191)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11391&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=11391&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)

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## 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.



## 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.