Superior Court

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE : 

If you have a case pending in Whatcom County Superior Court, please review the Court Orders Re: Covid-19 page.

Should you have further questions, please contact your attorney of record.

Attention Attorneys: Per the Superior Court Bench, the Whatcom County Clerk cannot accept documents that are not properly signed. This means that typed names, /s/ typed names and cursive typed names are not acceptable. The signature must reflect the actual signature of the individual.

Court Orders Re: Covid-19 

Letter to Jurors

Questions for Superior Court? Email SuperiorCourt@co.whatcom.wa.us

Judicial Assistant Recruitment for Superior Court Department 2

Incoming Whatcom County Superior Court Judge Evan Jones is recruiting for his Judicial Assistant for Department 2.  Judge Jones will take office January 11, 2021.

Requires an Associate’s degree from an accredited college in a legal support profession, paralegal or related field AND three years of related experience, such as legal secretary or paralegal in a legal field or court environment.  Additional experience may be substituted for education. 

Each applicant should submit a Cover Letter and a Resume with professional references no later than November 25th.  These materials should be submitted to Superior Court Administration Director David Reynolds, 311 Grand Avenue # 301, Bellingham WA 98225 or electronically to dreynold@co.whatcom.wa.us..

See full copy of the Job Description. 

About Us
 Whatcom County Superior Court is one of 39 Superior Courts in Washington.  Whatcom County has 4 Superior Court Judges elected to four-year terms, and 3 Court Commissioners.
Judges and Commissioners hear and decide cases assigned to them by the Presiding Judge.

The Presiding Judge is elected by the other Superior Court Judges to serve not less than two years.  The Presiding Judge supervises the judicial business of the Superior Court, acts as the spokesperson for the court, directs the court administrator in implementing administrative and general court policy, and performs judicial and administrative duties as set forth in General Rule 29.

The Judges, Court Commissioners and Court Administrator meet regularly to set administrative and general court policy.

Each Judge has a judicial assistant who manages the Judge's caseload, maintains order in the courtroom, supervises jurors, and coordinates courtroom activities.  A courtroom clerk assigned to each court keeps a journal of the proceedings and processes exhibits.

Types of Cases Superior Court handles:

  • Adult Felonies
  • Civil cases - (includes cases involving real property and/or claims in excess of $35,000)
  • Divorce/Child Custody/Child Support matters
  • Probate/guardianships
  • Paternity actions
  • Adoptions
  • Juvenile cases 
  • Mental Illness cases

Superior Court Judges


 Robert E. Olson, Judge, Dept. I
 Deborra E. Garrett, Presiding Judge, Dept. 2
 Lee Grochmal, Judge, Dept. 3
 David E. Freeman, Judge, Dept. 4

Court Commissioners


Angela A. Cuevas
Jonathan Richardson
Leon F. Henley, Jr.