Seattle Municipal Court Judges

The Seattle Municipal Court's judges are elected to judicial departments for a four-year term. 

Seattle Municipal Court Judges

Standing, Left to Right:
 Honorable Catherine McDowall, Honorable Faye Chess, Honorable Anita Crawford-Willis, Honorable Adam Eisenberg,

Sitting, Left to Right:
Honorable Damon Shadid, Honorable Willie Gregory, Honorable Andrea Chin

Photo credit:
Matt Hagen, @AllThingsMattHagen

Judges' Role and Responsibilities

The majority of the Seattle Municipal Court Judges' time is dedicated to jury trials and pretrial hearings. They also hear sentencings, arraignments, reviews, non-jury (bench) trials and can perform Marriage Ceremonies.

Presiding Judge

Every other year, the judges select one judge to act as the Presiding Judge for a two-year term. Honorable Adam Eisenberg. is currently serving as Presiding Judge.

The Presiding Judge's responsibilities include:

  • Oversee the Magistrates
  • Lead the management and administration of the court's business
  • Recommend policies and procedures that improve the court's effectiveness
  • Allocate resources that maximize the court's ability to resolve disputes fairly and expeditiously
  • Determine judicial assignments

Current Judicial Assignments

Hon. Adam Eisenberg, Presiding Judge
Hon. Faye Chess, Assistant Presiding Judge

Courtroom 901: Hon. Damon Shadid, Mental Health Court
Courtroom 902: Hon. Andrea Chin, Domestic Violence Court
Courtroom 903: Hon. Damon Shadid, Seattle Community Court
Courtroom 1001: Hon. Willie Gregory, General Trial, Veteran's Treatment Court 
Courtroom 1002: Hon. Anita Crawford-Willis, General Trial
Courtroom 1003: Hon. Adam Eisenberg, Master Calendar
Courtroom 1101: Hon. Catherine McDowall, General Trial
Courtroom 1102: Rotating Judge, Out of Custody Arraignments
Courtroom 1103: Hon. Faye Chess, General Trial
Courtroom KCJ2: Rotating Judge - In-custody Arraignments