Theodore J. Angelis at a glance
- Current role
- Justice
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Theodore J. Angelis
Justice · Supreme Court of Washington
Biography
Professional career
- Co-authoring the World Justice Project’s founding white paper
- Supreme Court of Washington, succeeding Justice Barbara Madsen
- His judicial philosophy emphasizes equal access to justice, respect for the courts, constitutional fidelity, and judicial independence
Education
- Yale Law School, editor of The Yale Law Journal — J.D. (1999)
Additional information
- The first person of Middle Eastern descent to serve on the Washington State Supreme Court, appointed by Governor Bob Ferguson on March 9, 2026, and taking office April 4, 2026.
- Founders Award (2018, KIND) for pro bono work with children in immigration cases
- ACLU Humanitarian Award (2017) for class action litigation securing counsel for children in immigration proceedings
- Citizen of the Year (2016, St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church)
- Born Theodore John Angelis in 1972, he is the son of a Greek Orthodox priest and grandson of Turkish refugees.
- For 26 years at K&L Gates, Angelis led the firm’s appellate and intellectual property practices
- representing major U.S. and Asian companies.
- Appellate and trial cases on constitutional issues, IP, internet crimes, tribal claims, and public entity liability
- Editing the Washington Lawyers Practice Manual for over a decade, funding Neighborhood Clinics
- He clerked for U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Stephen F. Williams before joining K&L Gates LLP in Seattle.
- Extensive pro bono service for children denied counsel, veterans, refugees, small businesses, and homeless individuals
- He lives in Seattle with his family and continues to advocate for access to justice, constitutional rights, and fair, independent courts.
- He has held leadership roles in the King County Bar Association, Middle Eastern Legal Association of Washington (MELAW), and the M. Margaret McKeown Bar Association.
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
Supreme Court of Washington
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 August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Washington State Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View Washington State 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 ↗