Robert E. Lawrence-Berrey at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Robert E. Lawrence-Berrey
Judge · Court of Appeals - Division III
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Biography
Professional career
- Judge, Court of Appeals of Washington, 2014-present
- Judge of Division III of the Washington State Court of Appeals, appointed in 2014, and has also held the role of Chief Judge and Presiding Chief Judge for the court’s divisions
- Yakima County Superior Court Judge (Jan 2011–2014), appointed by Governor Chris Gregoire
- Judge pro tem for Yakima County Superior Court (2004–2010)
- Practice areas: Agriculture, construction, insurance, and commercial law
- Official court bio: Washington State Courts – Judge Robert Lawrence-Berrey
Education
- in Economics, Whitman College — B.A. (1986)
- Willamette University College of Law — J.D.
Additional information
- Apr 2024–Mar 2026) Presiding Chief Judge for all three divisions (Apr 2025–Mar 2026)
- Election: Re-elected in the November 5, 2024 general election with 97.6% of the vote
- Appointed: February 12, 2014 by Governor Jay Inslee, effective March 1, 2014, replacing Judge Teresa Kulik
- Private practice: Over 20 years as a civil trial and appellate attorney, with firms including Halverson & Applegate, Peters & Fowler, and Finney, Falk, Lawrence-Berrey & Naught
- Married to Kristi; three adult children (Jessi, Erik, Nikki) and five grandchildren.
- Hobbies include bicycling and golf.
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
Court of Appeals - Division III
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 ↗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 ↗