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Photo of Judge Andrea Robertson.

  • Courtroom Number: E-815
  • Bailiff: Stevie Craig
  • Department: 47
  • Assignment: Criminal

Biography

Judge Andrea K. Robertson was appointed to the bench by Governor Jay Inslee and was sworn in on December 31, 2020.

Raised in Spokane and educated in the public schools, Andrea graduated from high school with experience in policy debate, speech competitions, and theater.

Andrea received her undergraduate degree in Pre-Law from Eastern Washington University and graduated from the University of Washington School of Law in 1998 with awards for mock trial and appellate advocacy, and with clinical training in mediation. She also taught in the Street Law Program, a highly acclaimed project to teach young people about the law and legal careers.

Andrea began her practice as a trial attorney at the Snohomish County Public Defender Association and later transitioned to private criminal defense.

Andrea and her husband, Ryan Robertson, opened Robertson Law in 2010, where she handled a mix of largely criminal defense trial work, along with representing victims of domestic violence and harassment in obtaining protection orders. In over 22 years of practice, Andrea represented well over 1,500 clients, was sole counsel in over 50 jury trials and argued matters at all levels of the State courts, including the Washington Supreme Court. She was also plaintiff co-counsel in two complex civil class action lawsuits. Andrea is a graduate of the selective Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College in Dubois, Wyoming.

Outside of the practice of law, Andrea was an ensemble member and performer in the renowned improvisational theater company of Unexpected Productions for over 15 years. She has lectured extensively to trial lawyers and students on the techniques of improvisation and active listening to better communicate with jurors, as well as using innovative techniques for jury selection and trial advocacy. In 2016, she began work as a part-time Trial Advocacy Instructor at the UW School of Law. She spent over 5 years coaching and mentoring Seattle public high school students in speech, debate and mock trial.

Judge Robertson and her husband live in Seattle with their two excellent kids. She is an L2 certified CrossFit coach and enjoys hiking and occasional alpine climbing.

Judge Robertson considers herself extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to serve the people of King County as a Superior Court Judge. In addition to her current caseload, she currently serves the King County Superior Court as the Chair of the Security Committee, the Co-Chair of the Involuntary Treatment Act Committee, and is an elected member of the Executive Committee.  She also serves on the Court’s Jury, Interpreter, and Strategic Planning and Performance Committees, and the Criminal Law & Rules Committee for the Washington State Superior Court Judges’ Association.

Courtroom Policies for Dept. 47

Communication

The only address to be used by attorneys, self-represented litigants, or others who need to communicate with court staff about a case is the courtroom e-mail address: robertson.court@kingcounty.gov. Absent express invitation by the judge, the judge’s individual email address may not be used.

No ex parte communications unless expressly permitted by Court rule or approval of the judge.

Rules to review before contacting the court:

Proposed Orders and Working Papers

Department 47 is a paperless court. Judge Robertson expects all parties to follow local and state rules regarding submission of pleadings, and requires a Word version of all proposed orders. You may submit your proposed order via the e-filing portal by using the e-working copies application. Working copies of motions and declarations should be submitted via the e-filing portal. Self-represented parties may submit physical working copies to the judge’s mailroom in C-203 at the King County Superior Courthouse clearly marked for Judge Robertson. Unless expressly permitted, the Court does not accept delivery of working papers by email, or by delivery to the courtroom.

Criminal Motions and Sentencing Hearings

Department 47 is a paperless Court and prefers working copies submitted via eWorking Copies. Please make sure Judge Robertson’s name is clearly marked on all submissions.

Judge Robertson will not proceed with a pre-scheduled sentencing hearing unless a memorandum on sentencing has been received from both State and Defense.  These must be received no later than noon the day prior to the scheduled sentencing.  If these submissions are not received, the Court will proceed with rescheduling the sentencing hearing.

Dispositive civil motions and hearing requests

Dispositive motions are typically heard on Friday mornings, and some limited additional time slots as circumstances permit. The scheduling party shall consult with opposing counsel(s) before contacting the court. Doing so reduces the need to reschedule hearings due to conflicts. Parties are encouraged to contact the court far in advance of trial to schedule a dispositive motion, as time slots are limited.

Parties are not to request a dispositive motion date which is later than the currently scheduled trial date (even when parties believe that a continuance is anticipated).  If parties anticipate a continuance, they must first file a continuance to accommodate a later motion hearing date, before that date will be approved by the Court.

Any request for a dispositive motion hearing must be emailed to the court and include at minimum:

  • Case number and caption in the subject line
  • Names, phone numbers and email addresses of all counsel and parties
  • Nature of motion

The Court typically allots 1 hour for dispositive motions. Additional time may be provided on hearings involving multiple parties or complex motions. Please advise the bailiff if additional time is being requested. Note: Most non-dispositive motions do not require oral argument under the Civil or Local Rules. If a party would like to request oral argument, the motion should be noted pursuant to the applicable court rules, and you may request argument by simply noting in the upper right-hand corner of the working papers “Oral Argument Requested.” If, after reviewing all briefing, the Court determines oral argument is appropriate, the bailiff will contact the parties and set a mutually acceptable time for oral argument.

Non-dispositive civil motions

Parties must comply with all the requirements of KCLR 7 and any emergency orders in place when setting motions without oral argument. All motions should be submitted with proposed orders in Word format, submitted via eWorking Copies. Self-represented parties may submit physical working copies to the judge’s mailroom in C-203 at the King County Superior Courthouse clearly marked for Judge Robertson.
Copies of signed orders will be delivered to counsel or the parties electronically if email addresses have been provided to the Court.

Working Copies for Civil Motions

Department 47 is a paperless court and reviews materials requests receipt all working copies submitted via eWorking Copies. The Court does not accept working copies of pleadings by email absent prior authorization. All motions must be noted pursuant to LCR 7(b) and filed with the clerk. Working copies should have the judge’s name and the date and time of the hearing in the upper right-hand corner of the first page of the motion. All working copies shall also include a proposed order(s) in Word format.

Court transcripts - Digitally recorded courtroom

If prior to the hearing or trial you know that you will want a copy of the audio proceedings, notify the courtroom clerk, who will be able to provide the information needed at the end of the hearing. After the hearing or trial, if you determine you need a copy of the CD, it may be obtained directly from the Clerk's Office copy center. You will need to submit a completed CD Request Form (40KB).

Please note that Department 47 cannot address any requests for copies of audio records, and all such requests must be directed only to the clerk’s office.

The court proceedings in Department 47 are recorded by FTR Gold equipment, which digitally records all proceedings. If you are requesting a copy of a recording, you will need to submit a completed CD Request Form to the Clerk’s Office. If the parties are requesting a court reporter for a hearing or trial, please notify the bailiff as soon as possible.

Civil Trial continuances

Requests to change the trial date should be by motion, filed and noted on a nine-day calendar. See CR 7(b)(1) (“An application to the court for an order shall be by motion . . .”); LCR 40(e)(1) (“In cases that are governed by a Case Schedule, the trial date may be adjusted, prior to the Final Date to Change Trial, by motion . . .”); 40(e)(2) (“A motion to strike a trial date, or change a trial date more than 28 days before or after the original date, shall be made in writing to the assigned judge . . .”). Follow the requirements of LCR 7. Do not email a stipulation and order to Judge Robertson’s bailiff unless directed to do so.  These emailed submissions will not be accepted or considered.

If the parties agree on the request for a continuance, the moving party or parties should describe the motion as an “agreed motion” or a “stipulated motion” in the caption and set forth that agreement in the body. The motion should be served and filed and noted for consideration before the hearing judge two judicial days after filing in accordance with LCR 7(b)(4)(H).

The Court grants motions to continue a trial, other than the 28-day adjustment authorized by LCR 40(e)(1), only based on good cause. The motion should come with a declaration describing the nature of the case, the discovery and other trial preparation completed, what remains to be accomplished, and an explanation of why the case could not be completed within the original case schedule. The assertion that more time is needed for discovery or negotiation, without more, will not usually constitute good cause.

LCR 40(e)(2) applies to motions filed after the final date to change the trial date in the Case Schedule. That rule provides that “the motion will not be granted except under extraordinary circumstances where there is no alternative means of preventing a substantial injustice.” Given that stringent standard, parties should be mindful of the deadline to change the trial date and should make sure a motion filed after that date sets forth extraordinary circumstances that require a continuance to prevent a substantial injustice. Failing to address that standard and set forth such circumstances will likely lead to the denial of the motion.

Pretrial requirements – Civil Trials

Pursuant to KCLR 40(d)(2), all trial memoranda and other trial submissions are due not later than five court days prior to trial. Please contact the clerk by email to obtain information on pre-numbering exhibits. All submissions should be made to Judge Robertson, in care of the judges' mailroom. (See mailing address above.) In addition, Judge Robertson requires all parties and counsel to work together to complete a Witness Examination Time Form (which can be provided by Court bailiff, by request). This form must be submitted together with other pretrial memoranda five court days prior to trial. If the parties intend to use depositions in trial, designations and objections shall be marked according to the guidelines provided here. Deposition designations and objections shall be provided to the Court at least 5 days prior to trial, along with all other pretrial materials.

Civil Trial Exhibits

Electronic exhibits are to be used for civil trials conducted remotely. Instructions on uploading electronic exhibits can be found on the Electronic Exhibits-ShareFile page. Please submit exhibits no later than 5 court dates before the scheduled trial date.

Depositions are not to be marked as an exhibit since they become part of the court file. Exhibits to the deposition may be marked as exhibits in evidence. Please deliver Court Reporter Sealed Original depositions to the Judges’ Mailroom, C-203, with Judge Robertson’s name clearly marked. An electronic copy of the deposition transcript must be uploaded to the ShareFile folder.

If the parties intend to use depositions in trial, designations and objections shall be marked in advance. Deposition designations and objections shall be provided to the Court at least 5 days prior to trial, along with all other pretrial materials.

Weddings

Congratulations! Judge Robertson would be honored to officiate for your special day.  She is available to perform weddings after court hours on weekdays at the King County Courthouse.  Please email weddings@akrobertson.com to make arrangements.

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