Wade S. Samuelson at a glance
- Current role
- Commissioner
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Wade S. Samuelson
Commissioner · Lewis County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Adjunct professor of criminal justice at Centralia College (2008–2015)
- Judge of the Lewis County District Court in Washington, elected in 2014, with a background in law, legal education, and public service
- Partner at Olson, Althauser, Samuelson & Rayan, LLP (1996–2014)
- Lawyer of the Year — Alliance for Equal Justice & Lewis County Bar Legal Aid (2006)
Education
- Regent University School of Law — J.D. (1996)
- in Economics — University of Washington — B.A. (1990)
Additional information
- Lorena Craig (July 10, 2025) and Cristy Lee Rydberg v.
- Danielle Allison Craig (March 21, 2025).
- Election: Elected in November 2014; term expired January 2019
- Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation — Washington State Bar Association (2010–2013)
- Recent filings in Lewis County under Judge Samuelson’s jurisdiction include domestic violence cases such as Marilyn Maxie v.
- Former roles: Washington State Bar Association Criminal Law Section Executive Committee, Centralia Civil Service Commission Commissioner
- Centralia College Criminal Justice Advisory Committee
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
Lewis 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 ↗