--- title: "William C. Steffener | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-c-steffener-judge-snohomish-county-superior-court-11286-wa" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # William C. Steffener Snohomish County - Superior Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Snohomish County - Superior Court - State: Washington - Role: Judge - 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=11286&orgid=617) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11286&orgid=617) - [Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_dir/index.cfm?fa=court_dir.persondetail&indid=11286&orgid=617) - [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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-c-steffener-judge-snohomish-county-superior-court-11286-wa", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-c-steffener-judge-snohomish-county-superior-court-11286-wa", "name": "William C. 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Steffener", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-c-steffener-judge-snohomish-county-superior-court-11286-wa" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge William Steffener was appointed to the Snohomish County Superior Court in the spring of 2023 by Governor Jay Inslee, succeeding Judge Janice Ellis upon her retirement - From 2021 until his judicial appointment, he maintained a private practice at Deno Millikan Law Firm, PLLC - He then held the role of a Deputy Prosecutor in the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office from 2013 to 2021, working in the Municipal Law and Involuntary Treatment Act units - Notably the first Native American to serve as a Superior Court Judge in Snohomish County ### Education - Law degree from the University of Montana School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Western Washington University in Bellingham. ### Additional information - He also held the role of president of the Snohomish County Bar Association in 2013 and continues to participate in multiple state and local judicial committees. - Began as a criminal defense attorney with the Snohomish County Public Defender Association from 2005 to 2013. - Before joining the bench, Steffener had a nearly 20-year legal career spanning both public and private sectors. - focusing on family law, probate, estate planning, landlord/tenant law, and civil litigation. - He is a former Eagle Scout and has volunteered as an assistant Scout Leader with the Girl Scouts of America. ## 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.