Tam T. Bui at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Tam T. Bui
Judge · Court of Appeals - Division I
Biography
Professional career
- Snohomish County District Court Judge (2006–2025): Elected in 2006, re-elected four times, presiding over criminal and civil cases and jury trials.
- Supported access to justice and public safety through specialty courts
Education
- B.A. in Political Science from the University of Washington (1991) and a J.D. from Seattle University School of Law (1994).
Additional information
- The first Vietnamese American elected to the Washington State Court of Appeals, serving on Division I, District 2 since November 26, 2025.
- Elected in a special general election on November 4, 2025 to replace Stephen Dwyer, and her term runs until January 7, 2029.
- Leadership roles: Presiding Judge, member of Budget, Diversity, and Therapeutic Courts Committees; led creation of Snohomish County’s first Mental Health Court in 2012.
- Judge Bui arrived in Washington in 1975 as a child refugee from Vietnam.
- Pre-judicial work: Appellate lawyer for the Washington Appellate Defender Association, public defender, and Washington State Administrative Law Judge.
- She represents Snohomish County, which is part of Court of Appeals Division I.
- Her victory was historic, as she is the first Vietnamese American to hold a seat on the Washington State Court of Appeals.
- In summary, Judge Tam T. Bui brings over 23 years of judicial experience, a record of leadership in reform, and a deep commitment to fairness and public service, making her a notable figure in Washington’s legal history.
- The Vietnamese-American Bar Association of Washington and over 150 Washington judges, including seven of the nine Washington Supreme Court justices, endorsed her campaign.
- Advocated for improved case management systems and continuing education requirements for judges.
- State judicial service: Co-Chair of the Board for Judicial Administration; faculty at Washington State Judicial College; taught civics at Jackson High School.
- Her election is celebrated as a milestone for diversity and representation in the state’s judiciary.
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
Court of Appeals - Division I
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 ↗