Michael S. Spearman at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Court
- Court of Appeals of Washington
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- May 1, 2010–present
Michael S. Spearman
Judge · Court of Appeals of Washington
Available research
Biography
Professional career
- He was a public defender with The Defender Association, where he supervised the Felony Division; the Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons; and the Office of the Federal Public Defender.
- Washington State Courts - Members of the Court of Appeals - Div I Bio - Judge Michael S. Spearman Prior to his judicial career Judge Spearman was a trial lawyer in the areas of criminal defense, family law and personal injury.
Judicial service
- Judge, Court of Appeals of Washington, 2010-present
- Michael Spearman Silhouette Placeholder Image.png Contents Michael Spearman was a judge on the Washington Court of Appeals, Division I. He was appointed in May 2010 by Governor Chris Gregoire to succeed retired Judge Susan Agid.
Education
- Polytechnic Institute of New York University · JD
- Brown University in 1974 · B.A.
- New York University School of Law. [...] Prior to his judicial career Judge Spearman was a trial lawyer in the areas of criminal defense, family law and personal injury · J.D.
- New York University School of Law · J.D.
- New York University School of Law in 1981 · J.D.
- New York University School of Law. [...] the firm of Adler, Giersch and Read · J.D.
Courtroom rules and guidance
Photography Recording
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 ↗
Limitations On Recording
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 ↗
Sources
Court of Appeals of Washington current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · checked August 2, 2026
https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8465/michael-s-spearman/Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media
Judge research source · PDF · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/GR/GA_GR_16_00_00.pdf