---
title: "Ronald B. Leighton | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ronald-b-leighton-1901"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Ronald B. Leighton

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington · Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- State: Washington
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Since September 1, 2021, Leighton has been of counsel at FAVROS Law
- Judge, District Court, W.D. Washington, 2002-present
- Ronald Bruce Leighton is a former United States district judge for the Western District of Washington, serving from 2002 until his retirement in 2020

### Education

- in, University of California, Hastings College of the Law (now UC College of the Law, San Francisco) — J.D. (1976)
- in, Whitworth College — B.A. (1973)

### Additional information

- Retirement: Retired from active service on August 31, 2020.
- Caseload: Over 2,400 district court cases (1998–2020), covering civil rights, contract, personal injury, labor, environmental, maritime, and intellectual property matters.
- Service: held the role of judge from November 26, 2002, to February 28, 2019, when he assumed senior status.
- Selecky (2007), one of his most cited opinions.
- Appointment: Nominated by President George W. Bush on January 23, 2002, to replace Robert Jensen Bryan.
- Confirmation: Approved by the U.S. Senate on November 14, 2002, and commissioned on November 26, 2002.
- Private practice, Tacoma, WA, 1976-2002
- Practiced law in Tacoma, Washington, from 1976 to 2002.
- Born 1951 in Stockton, California.
- Date of birth: 1951-01-01
- Notable case: Stormans, Inc. v.
- Judge Leighton presided over jury and bench trials, dispositive motions, and complex litigation across multiple legal domains.
- He also transitioned into mediation and arbitration through the Washington Arbitration and Mediation Service (WAMS), with expertise in civil rights, employment law, environmental law, personal injury, maritime, and intellectual property cases.
- His career combined over 28 years of private practice with 18 years on the federal bench, and he is recognized for his work in both adjudication and dispute resolution.
- Birth place: Stockton, CA

## 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.courtlistener.com/person/1901/ronald-b-leighton/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/1901/ronald-b-leighton/)
- [U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/1901/ronald-b-leighton/)
- [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/1901/ronald-b-leighton/)
- [Leighton, Ronald B.](https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/leighton-ronald-b)
- [Wikidata: Ronald B. Leighton](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7364655)

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