--- title: "Robert E. Olson | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-e-olson-judge-whatcom-county-superior-court-703-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Robert E. Olson Whatcom County - Superior Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Whatcom 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=703&orgid=716) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=703&orgid=716) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=703&orgid=716) - [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/robert-e-olson-judge-whatcom-county-superior-court-703-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-e-olson-judge-whatcom-county-superior-court-703-wa", "name": "Robert E. 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Uhrig - Senior Deputy Public Defender for Whatcom County (2001–2010) - Assistant Attorney General for the Washington State Attorney General’s Office for eight years - General Counsel to Western Washington University for two years, also within the state attorney general’s office - Professor of business law for nearly 20 years ### Education - He held the role of a captain in military intelligence for the U.S. Army and Washington Army National Guard before completing his J.D. at Seattle University School of Law in 1995. - B.A. in Political Science and Government from Pacific Lutheran University in 1987. ### Additional information - Associate attorney at Lester & Associates (1999–2001) handling misdemeanor criminal cases. - Appointed by Governor Jay R. Inslee to fill a vacancy created by Judge Uhrig’s passing. - handling cases such as probate, guardianship, estate administration, and other civil matters. - representing Child Protective Services and the Department of Licensing, and appearing before the Office of Administrative Hearings for foster care, day care, and adult family home licensing. - His contact information is listed in the county’s official directory. - His military service earned him the National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal. ## 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.