Thomas Bjorgen at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Court
- Court of Appeals of Washington
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- November 6, 2012–present
Thomas Bjorgen
Judge · Court of Appeals of Washington
Available research
Biography
Professional career
- 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. He also was a partner in the law firm of Bjorgen, Bauer, Pitman, Bauer from 1999 to 2013. Awards and associations Awards Associations
Judicial service
- Judge, Court of Appeals of Washington, 2012-present
Education
- Washington State University · BA
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus · JD
- University of Washington · 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/8441/thomas-bjorgen/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