Law Judges preside over quasi-judicial regulatory and disciplinary law proceedings involving complex, constitutional issues, issuing initial orders, findings of fact and conclusions of law, subpoenas and when necessary may order disciplinary sanctions against the parties and their representatives. Orders include, but are not limited to, determinations of jurisdiction and venue, orders authorizing out of state attorneys to practice before tribunals, orders setting or enforcing case schedules, protective orders, orders of continuance, ex parte orders of summary suspension, orders defining the conduct of parties at hearings, orders outlining the court’s expectations, orders detailing the rights and responsibilities of the parties, orders excluding witnesses or evidence, orders applying the rules of evidence, discovery orders allowing or curtailing certain discovery requests, orders on motions for summary judgment or dismissal and orders to recuse.

The Law Judge series is separate and distinct from the Review Judge as the Law Judges are not hearing appeals, rather the Law Judges preside over cases that emanate from agency rules, statute, and federal regulations and include, but are not limited to, the following program areas: administrative regulatory law cases involving medical discipline and licensing of healthcare professionals, hearings on non-compliance (with standing orders), transient accommodations (hotels, etc.), wastewater treatment, shellfish, drinking water, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefit and vendor cases, implied consent, administrative per se, habitual traffic offenders, CDL positive, fraud, court judgments, social security mismatch, and financial responsibility.

The Law Judge series is separate and distinct from the Legal Examiner series, whose work is aimed at assisting a state agency, board, or commission by serving as a legal resource for regulated statewide programs, whereas the Law Judges preside over conferences and hearings and issue initial orders.

This is the journey-level of the series. Positions work under general supervision and preside over quasi-judicial administrative law proceedings and issue a variety of orders in the disposition of cases which detail the procedural history, discussion of the evidence and witnesses presented, findings of fact, and conclusions of law. Issues initial orders, subpoenas and when necessary may order disciplinary sanctions against the parties and their representatives.

Holds initial status conferences to obtain agreement on the case schedule, duration of the hearing and sets the court’s expectations concerning discovery and the parties’ obligation to protect sensitive and confidential information;

Convenes prehearing conferences with the parties to identify the underlying issues in dispute, hear oral argument of the attorneys, resolve any remaining discovery issues, understand the respective players for relief sought, discuss the forum of the hearing, address any outstanding motions and rules on witness and evidentiary disputes;

Presides over prehearing conferences and hearings where the rules of evidence apply, both documentary and testimonial evidence is presented, and written decisions are issued;

Facilitates the resolution of issues by thoughtfully analyzing motions and conveying timely rulings on motions regarding witnesses and documentary and testimonial evidence;

Presides over in-person and virtual hearings that are open to the public; swears in witnesses and manages the parties throughout the hearing;

Ensures that orders sufficiently detail the procedural history, adequately outlines the issues, discusses and weighs/evaluates the evidence (make credible findings when appropriate), analyzes the applicable law, contains findings of fact to address all of the issues raised or alleged in the charging documents and concisely state the appropriate conclusions of law; develops orders that render a ruling on the underlying issue in dispute;

Manages cases with an eye to detail to ensure that the administrative record is accurate, clear, and concise concerning both the procedural and substantive history of the case to preserve each party’s rights on appeal;

Engages in thoughtful solo deliberations to carefully consider the credibility of the witnesses, the totality of the evidence presented, and the applicable law as supported by the facts;

Avoids the appearance of impropriety to assure the parties and the public that the proceeding is fair, impartial, and complete;

Maintains and manages a caseload with a hearings calendar of six to nine months; this requires hands-on management and regular review of each case;

Assists in developing internal office procedures using principles of equity and inclusion in evaluating those procedures;

Applies extensive litigation experience;

May direct the work of others;

Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of: the administrative procedures act, the uniform disciplinary act, model rules for boards and commissions, the model rules for secretary professions, other rules and statutes pertaining to the healthcare regulation and discipline and relevant case law; administrative per se and implied consent statute; financial responsibility proceedings; habitual traffic offender statute; medical cancellations cases; fraud cases; unsatisfied collision judgments and statutes; social security mismatch cancellation proceedings.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer's responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Juris Doctorate, and active or judicial membership in the Washington State Bar Association, in good standing;


Six years of law experience to include a combination of law litigation, trial practice and/or presiding over cases following the rules of evidence.

Equivalent education/experience.

New classification: Law Judge, class code: 422X, range 70; adopted June 23, 2025; effective July 1, 2025.