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title: "Raquel Montoya-Lewis | KnowJudges"
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updated: "2026-08-22"
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# Raquel Montoya-Lewis

Supreme Court of Washington · Justice

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of Washington
- State: Washington
- Role: Justice
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## 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

## 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/appellate_trial_courts/supremecourt/?fa=supremecourt.justices)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts/supremecourt/?fa=supremecourt.justices)
- [Washington State Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts/supremecourt/?fa=supremecourt.justices)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/16218/raquel-devahl-montoya-lewis/)
- [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)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/16218/raquel-devahl-montoya-lewis/)
- [Wikidata: Raquel Montoya-Lewis](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q77363669)

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## 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.