Raquel Montoya-Lewis at a glance
- Current role
- Justice
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Raquel Montoya-Lewis
Justice · Supreme Court of Washington
Biography
Professional career
- Associate Justice, Washington Supreme Court, 2020-present
- Justice Raquel Montoya‐Lewis is an Associate Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court, the first Native American to serve on that court and the second Native American in the U.S. to sit on a state supreme court
Education
- Social Work — University of Washington-Seattle Campus — 1996
- BA from the University of New Mexico (1992), a JD and MSW from the University of Washington (1995–1996).
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus — J.D. (1995)
- University of New Mexico School of Law
Additional information
- Born April 3, 1968 in Spain, where her father was stationed, Montoya‐Lewis was raised in New Mexico.
- Date of birth: 1968-04-03
- She is an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Isleta and a descendant of the Pueblo of Laguna, and also of Jewish descent.
- Birth place: Spain
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
Supreme Court of Washington
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 August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Washington State Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View Washington State Courts official judicial roster ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 3, 2026
View CourtListener judicial biographical directory ↗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 ↗