--- title: "Robert E. Lawrence-Berrey | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-e-lawrence-berrey-judge-court-of-appeals-division-iii-1551-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-03" --- # Robert E. Lawrence-Berrey Court of Appeals - Division III · Judge ## Profile - Court: Court of Appeals - Division III - State: Washington - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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. ## 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=1551&orgid=790) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1551&orgid=790) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=1551&orgid=790) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8455/robert-lawrence-berrey/) - [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/8455/robert-lawrence-berrey/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-e-lawrence-berrey-judge-court-of-appeals-division-iii-1551-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-e-lawrence-berrey-judge-court-of-appeals-division-iii-1551-wa", "name": "Robert E. 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