--- title: "Nicole AG Phelps | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/nicole-ag-phelps-judge-king-county-maleng-regional-justice-center-mrjc-11657-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Nicole AG Phelps 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. ## Biography ### Professional career - Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (7 years) - contract public defense attorney - nine years as an Administrative Law Judge - Administrative Law Judge, Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings (9 years), specializing in CPS abuse/neglect cases, public benefits eligibility, and special education services - Her legal work was shaped by her experiences witnessing discrimination and racism faced by her parents, which inspired her commitment to ensuring access to justice ### Education - Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law — J.D. (1996) - in Finance, Butler University — B.A. (1993) - bachelor’s degree in finance from Butler University ### Additional information - January 9, 2029 - She was re-elected in 2024 for a term ending - Joined the bench on January 9, 2017, succeeding Judge Brian Gain. - From 2008 to 2016, she served - The youngest of four children from a middle‐class African‐American family in Indiana, and has said her interest in law began at age 8. - Judge Nicole A. Gaines Phelps — Biography - seven years as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney - , and ran a solo practice - Superior Court Judges Association’s Equity and Fairness Education Committee - president of the Loren Miller Bar Association - She announced her goal to become an attorney at age 8. - , public benefits eligibility, and special education disputes - Department 14 of the King County Superior Court - first African-American woman to win a contested election for an open seat - on the Superior Court bench - University of London Law Consortium - before completing her - Seattle boutique family law firm - for three years - She then served - handling misdemeanors, juvenile cases, and high-profile felonies - civil litigation - Child Protective Services cases - Local Rules and Uniform Family Court Committees - King County Courts and Community Committee - Central District Trustee - for the King County Bar Association - She remains active in community and judicial leadership roles. - Contact (King County Superior Court) - Phone: 206‐477‐1411 - Email: phelps.court@ - Address: c/o King County Superior Court, 401 4th Ave. - N, Room 2D, Kent, WA 98032 ## 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=11657&orgid=194) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11657&orgid=194) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11657&orgid=194) - [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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/nicole-ag-phelps-judge-king-county-maleng-regional-justice-center-mrjc-11657-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/nicole-ag-phelps-judge-king-county-maleng-regional-justice-center-mrjc-11657-wa", "name": "Nicole AG Phelps | KnowJudges", "description": "Nicole AG Phelps, King County - Superior Court. 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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.