Washington Courts

Great tribute to retired Washington State Supreme Court Justice Yu.
Read more about her trailblazing career in the 2026 Notre Dame Lawyer magazine. See the link below.

This World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts stands with efforts to prevent elder abuse and strengthen protections for older adults. Every elder deserves dignity, safety, and access to justice.

Please share these elder abuse resources with your circle of friends and family:
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Office of Guardianship and Elder Services home page: https://www.courts.wa.gov/guardianship/index.html

Office of Guardianship and Elder Services: To find a professional guardian or conservator for an elder in your life, https://www.courts.wa.gov/guardianportal/index.cfm?fa=guardianportal.search

Office of Guardianship and Elder Services: File a grievance against a guardian or conservator in an elder guardianship or conservatorship case, https://www.courts.wa.gov/programs_orgs/forms/index.cfm?fa=forms.display&theFile=grievanceComplaintInstructions

WA.gov senior-specific website for services and supports and how-to guides: https://wa.gov/seniors

Elder abuse is often hidden.

It can take many forms, including financial exploitation, neglect, and physical harm. Many cases go unreported. Courts play a critical role in protecting older adults.

From guardianship oversight to specialized dockets and cross-sector partnerships, courts are working to prevent abuse and respond with care and accountability.

But there is more to do. Improving data, strengthening monitoring, and expanding access to justice can help courts better identify risk and protect vulnerable adults.

We are committed to advancing elder justice and supporting courts with practical tools, research, and education.

Proud to share and support our partners at the Washington State Bar Association as they continue highlighting important voices shaping justice and leadership in our communities.

Episode 7 of Voices of the Heroes of Justice is now streaming, featuring Francis Adewale in conversation with Jeffrey R. Smith, whose inspiring journey from a 16-year career in medicine to the legal profession reflects the many paths that lead to service and leadership.

Episode 7 of the Voices of the Heroes of Justice is streaming now! In the latest installment, WSBA President Francis Adewale interviews Spokane County District Court Judge Jeffrey R. Smith. https://zurl.co/J8vcS

Judge Smith had an unconventional path to the bench, with a 16-year career in medicine as a physician associate. In 2001, he made the decision to pivot to law and graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2004.

Judge Smith was elected to the Spokane County District Court bench in 2016 and elected to full terms in 2018 and 2022. The court is comprised of eight judges and roughly 80 employees, handling between 40,000 and 50,000 cases annually. Judge Smith currently serves as presiding judge and also oversees the Mental Health Court and DUI Therapeutic Court dockets.

In this episode Judge Smith discusses his career, how working in medicine and the law can be surprisingly similar, the importance of listening with empathy, and some personal anecdotes, including advice for new lawyers, and more.

Want to hear more from Judge Smith? Read his guest column here in the June issue of Bar News magazine: https://zurl.co/eNd2e

Listen to Judge Smith’s full story and be sure to listen to the first six episodes of the podcast. Hear directly from podcast guests what has influenced their views on the rule of law and legal practice and how they are helping to shape our profession, lifting others up and continuing to move us toward a more just and inclusive legal system. https://zurl.co/ba6Nb

Need a transcript of the episode? Please email [email protected] and we will send it over to you.

This is a powerful reminder of transformation. Washington State Supreme Court Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis stood as a witness during this meaningful Indigenous graduation ceremony — a beautiful example of leadership, community, and uplifting one another, healing, and determination can open new paths forward.

We congratulate our formerly incarcerated brother Ben Brockie (A'aninin/Ft. Belknap) on his graduation from the University of Washington! He is a testament to cultural and spiritual rehabilitation. Washington State Supreme Court Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis (Isleta/Laguna), pictured with Ben here, served as his witness during the Indigenous graduation ceremony at the Intellectual House last night. We are so proud of him.

As America approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it's a great time to reflect on the institutions that help uphold our democracy every day.

Did you know that approximately 96% of all court cases in the United States are handled in state courts?

Watch this short video from the National Center for State Courts to learn how state courts impact our communities, protect individual rights, and serve as a cornerstone of our justice system.

The Who, What, When, Where and How of State Courts Discover the significance of state courts in the U.S. legal system ...

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2026 Washington State Minority and Justice Commission Supreme Court Symposium, Judging Justice: Individualized and Systemic Accountability Reimagined.

A special thank you to our presenters and attendees for sharing their expertise, experiences, and perspectives. Your engagement made this symposium a meaningful opportunity to learn, connect, and envision a more equitable future.

We appreciate your participation and commitment to advancing justice for all Washingtonians. If you missed the discussions, you can watch it on TVW -- Washington Public Affairs Network

The countdown is over! Our FREE Symposium begins at 9:00 AM today. Join us for an inspiring morning of learning, networking, and fresh ideas. See you soon!

Join us June 10 for the 2026 Supreme Court Symposium: Judging Justice: Individualized and Systemic Accountability Reimagined.

Learn about sentencing policy in Washington and explore new approaches to justice and accountability.

Watch live at TVW -- Washington Public Affairs Network this Wednesday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Everyone is welcome. We hope you'll join us online! Link to details in comments.

Join us June 10 for the 2026 Supreme Court Symposium: Judging Justice: Individualized and Systemic Accountability Reimagined.

Learn about sentencing policy in Washington and explore new approaches to justice and accountability.

Watch live at TVW -- Washington Public Affairs Network this Wednesday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Everyone is welcome. We hope you'll join us online! Link to details in comments.