Susan Adams at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Susan Adams
Judge · Pierce County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge on Pierce County Superior Court in Washington, appointed in 2020 by Governor Jay Inslee to replace Judge Helen Whitener, who was elevated to the Washington Supreme Court
- Municipal Court Judge: City of Lakewood Municipal Court (2017–2020)
- Prosecution: Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office (1991–2005)
- In summary, Judge Susan Adams brings over three decades of legal experience in prosecution, domestic violence services, and municipal judiciary, combined with active community leadership, to her role on the Pierce County Superior Court bench
Education
- B.A. in Political Science & Government, Central Washington University (1987) J.D., University of Puget Sound School of Law (1990)
Additional information
- Appointed: May 2020 by Gov.
- Board Member & Governance Committee Chair, Saint Francis House (2012–2020)
- Founding Director: Crystal Judson Family Justice Center (2005–2017), serving victims of domestic violence and their children
- Women of Influence Award, Tacoma Business Examiner (2015)
- Former member, Clover Park Rotary; civic roles in YMCA Mock Trial and leadership forums
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
Pierce County - Superior Court
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 ↗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 ↗