Philip Thornton at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Philip Thornton
Judge · Pierce County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Philip E. Thornton is the Judge for Superior Court Department 10 in Pierce County, Washington, elected in January 2025, with a 33+ year legal career in criminal, family, and civil matters.
- Certified by the Washington State Supreme Court as trial counsel for capital murder cases
Education
- Creighton University School of Law — J.D. (1990)
- Northern Arizona University — B.A. (1987)
Additional information
- Before becoming a judge, Thornton had a 29‐year legal practice in downtown Tacoma
- representing clients in criminal, family, and personal injury matters.
- Tried over 200 criminal trials, including two capital murder cases
- Served in municipal, state, and federal courts
- Earlier in his career, represented parents in juvenile dependency matters
- Criminal Justice Committee, Pierce County Pre‐Trial Release Committee, Local Rules Committee
- In summary: Judge Philip E. Thornton brings extensive trial and legal experience to the bench
- handling a broad spectrum of cases in Pierce County’s Superior Court, and is recognized for his work in both criminal and civil law.
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
Pierce 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 ↗