--- title: "Stephen J. Dwyer | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephen-j-dwyer-8445" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Stephen J. Dwyer Court of Appeals of Washington · Judge ## Profile - Court: Court of Appeals of Washington - State: Washington - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Court of Appeals of Washington, 2005-present - Began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Ward Williams at Division One of the Court of Appeals from 1982 to 1984 ### Education - Dwyer earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Puget Sound in 1979 and his J.D., with honors, from the University of Washington School of Law in 1982. - University of Washington-Seattle Campus — J.D. ### Additional information - His tenure on the Court of Appeals concluded on April 1, 2025. - Dwyer ran for re-election multiple times, including winning the 2022 general election for District 2 of Division One. - He held leadership roles including Presiding Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals (2013–2014), Chief Judge of Division One (2010–2012), and Acting Chief Judge (2008–2010). - Elected to the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division One, in November 2005, after serving 11 years on the Snohomish County District and Superior Courts. - The most senior member of the Washington State Court of Appeals, Judge Stephen Dwyer was elected to Division One in November 2005, following 11 years of service on the Snohomish County District and Superior Courts. - Judge Dwyer has been recognized for his judicial excellence, receiving the Washington State Bar Association’s “Outstanding Judge” award in 2003 and the Judge of the Year award from the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association in 2001. - He then practiced law privately, specializing in civil litigation, from 1984 to 1995. - Contributions to the Washington Lawyers’ Practice Manual and Washington Civil Procedure Deskbook Judge Dwyer’s career reflects a combination of judicial leadership, legal scholarship, and community service, making him a prominent figure in Washington State’s appellate judiciary. - Before joining the judiciary, he also served 11 years as a city council member in Edmonds, Washington, where he resides with his family. - Dwyer has mentored law clerks and legal professionals, including judicial law clerks at the Court of Appeals, providing guidance on civil, criminal, probate, family law, and agency cases. - His involvement in judicial education extends to planning and participating in the Annual Judicial Conference for over a dozen years. - He has co-authored law review articles, judicial education materials, and frequently presents at judicial and bar educational conferences. - He has also contributed to legal manuals and deskbooks on evidence, civil procedure, and motor vehicle law. ## 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/8445/stephen-j-dwyer/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8445/stephen-j-dwyer/) - [Court of Appeals of Washington current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8445/stephen-j-dwyer/) - [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/8445/stephen-j-dwyer/) - [Div I Bio - Judge Stephen J. Dwyer](https://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts/bios?fa=atc_bios.display&folderid=div1&fileID=dwyer) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephen-j-dwyer-8445", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephen-j-dwyer-8445", "name": "Stephen J. Dwyer | KnowJudges", "description": "Stephen J. Dwyer, Court of Appeals of Washington. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-02", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephen-j-dwyer-8445#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephen-j-dwyer-8445#judge", "name": "Stephen J. 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