Superior Court Department 13

[email protected]     ****     (253) 798-7564

  • Judge

    : Honorable Matthew H. Thomas
  • Elected / Appointed

    : May 2020

Education


  • University of Washington School of Law, J.D. 

Career Highlights


  • Appointed to Pierce County Superior Court by Governor Jay Inslee, 2020
  • Ran successfully for election to Pierce County Superior Court position, 2020
  • Assistant United States Attorney for 23 years, criminal and civil matters in U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Served on one-year detail as the Resident Legal Advisor at the United States Embassy in Nicaragua, establishing an anti-corruption program.
  • Earlier served as a Deputy Prosecutor for Pierce County for five years, becoming the lead attorney on an entitlement fraud task force.
  • Adjunct Faculty at UW Tacoma and Pierce County, Law related Courses

Professional Affiliations, Committees


  • Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association, President 2016-2017
  • Robert J. Bryan Chapter, American Inns of Court - Emeritus
  • Bar Foundation supporting civil legal aid 

Civic Involvement


  • Tacoma Downtown Lions Club
  • Volunteers as a Judge at the UW School of Law
  • Historian for local sailing club

Judge Matthew Thomas, Department 13