--- title: "Thomas Bjorgen | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-bjorgen-8441" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Thomas Bjorgen 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, 2012-present - The Chief Judge of Division II of the Washington Court of Appeals, elected in 2012 and serving until January 2019 - He also was a partner in the law firm of Bjorgen, Bauer, Pitman, Bauer from 1999 to 2013 - Elected on November 6, 2012 to serve as a judge on the Washington Court of Appeals, Division II, and was the chief judge for that division during his tenure - Before serving on the Washington Court of Appeals, Bjorgen worked as Washington assistant attorney general, counsel to Washington House of Representatives, and Thurston County Senior Deputy Prosecutor. ### Education - Washington State University — B.A. - University of Washington-Seattle Campus — J.D. ### Additional information - His term ended on January 13, 2019, after which he retired from the court. - During his service, he authored 146 published opinions and wrote 12 dissents between 2013 and 2019. - Awards and associations Awards Associations - App. - 148), cited 47 times. - President’s Award from the statewide Prosecutors’ Association - Volunteer work for homeless services, legal aid, Audubon Society, and other nonprofits ## 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/8441/thomas-bjorgen/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8441/thomas-bjorgen/) - [Court of Appeals of Washington current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8441/thomas-bjorgen/) - [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/8441/thomas-bjorgen/) - [Thomas Bjorgen - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Thomas_Bjorgen) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-bjorgen-8441", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-bjorgen-8441", "name": "Thomas Bjorgen | KnowJudges", "description": "Thomas Bjorgen, Court of Appeals of Washington. 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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](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.