---
title: "Wade S. Samuelson | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/wade-s-samuelson-commissioner-lewis-county-superior-court-7852-wa"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Wade S. Samuelson

Lewis County - Superior Court · Commissioner

## Profile

- Court: Lewis County - Superior Court
- State: Washington
- Role: Commissioner
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## 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.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=7852&orgid=483)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=7852&orgid=483)
- [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=7852&orgid=483)
- [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)

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## 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



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-7133c6bd26c80972b86e0d31) — 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](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.