--- title: "Philip K. Sorensen | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/philip-k-sorensen-judge-pierce-county-superior-court-1139-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Philip K. Sorensen Pierce County - Superior Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Pierce 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=1139&orgid=558) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1139&orgid=558) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1139&orgid=558) - [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/philip-k-sorensen-judge-pierce-county-superior-court-1139-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/philip-k-sorensen-judge-pierce-county-superior-court-1139-wa", "name": "Philip K. 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Sorensen", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/philip-k-sorensen-judge-pierce-county-superior-court-1139-wa" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Former Pierce County Juvenile Court Judge (2016–present) - Judge of the Pierce County Superior Court in Washington State, serving in Superior Court Department 19 since April 2014 - Former Drug Court Judge (2018–2019) - Pierce County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney (1989–2014) Chief Criminal Deputy (2011–2014) Led drug and robbery/assault units, and served in family support and criminal divisions - Pro tem judge in City of Olympia Municipal Court and Thurston County District Court ### Education - Seattle University School of Law — J.D. (1986) - Pacific Lutheran University — B.A. (1982) ### Additional information - Presiding Judge (2021–2022) - Executive Committee member, Pierce County Juvenile Court (2016–2017, 2019–2022) - Re‐elected in 2016 without opposition under Washington’s automatic election rule for unopposed judicial seats. - Appointed by Governor Jay Inslee on March 8, 2014, effective April 1, 2014, replacing Judge Linda C.J. Lee. - Active in Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association and Washington State Bar Association - Judge Sorensen has over 24 years of prosecutorial experience, including leadership roles in criminal and drug units, and is also involved in civic organizations such as the American Inns of Court and local youth programs. - For case information or court schedules, visit the Washington State Courts directory or the Pierce County Superior Court Department 19 page. ## 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.