--- title: "Philip Thornton | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/philip-thornton-judge-pierce-county-superior-court-11508-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Philip Thornton 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=11508&orgid=558) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11508&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=11508&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-thornton-judge-pierce-county-superior-court-11508-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/philip-thornton-judge-pierce-county-superior-court-11508-wa", "name": "Philip Thornton | KnowJudges", "description": "Philip Thornton, Pierce County - Superior Court. 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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. ## 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.