Judge John C. Skinder: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Biography

Hon. John C. Skinder is a judge for the Thurston County Superior Court in Washington. He was elected to the bench in 2016.

Over the course of his judicial career, Skinder served as the chief criminal judge and has presided over the Thurston County Drug Court.

He received a bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary in 1992. Skinder then completed a J.D. at Seattle University School of Law in 1996.

Prior to his election, he had worked as a deputy prosecuting attorney with the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office since 2000. During his tenure there, Skinder held assignments as lead attorney of the Special Victims Team and the Domestic Violence Unit. In addition, he was the legal advisor to the Thurston County Sheriff, Treasurer, Assessor, and Coroner. Before moving to Thurston County, Skinder worked for three years as a deputy prosecuting attorney in Lewis County (1997 to 2000).

He was a former president of the Thurston County Bar Association.

At the time of his election, Skinder and his wife, Angela, resided in Tumwater with their son.

Recent Cases by Hon. John C. Skinder

ELIZABETH HOPE EVARTS vs JOHN M SAWTELL

On October 22, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 24, 2026

SCOTT L BUCK vs GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES INSURANCE COMPANY

On October 21, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION vs KEVIN LANGSETH et al

On October 21, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

DEVYNN LEWIS vs ASSURED MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

On October 20, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

HARLEY-DAVIDSON CREDIT CORP vs DEVIN L HOUSTON et al

On October 15, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Oct 15, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 17, 2026

BECU vs DANIEL M CLARK

On October 14, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Oct 14, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 15, 2026

JORDAN TODD vs STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY

On October 9, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Oct 09, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Admin Appeals

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 10, 2026

BRANDON BENNETT vs STATE CHILDREN YOUTH AND FAMILIES et al

On October 9, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Oct 09, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2026

TONI LEIGH vs GUARDIAN REAL ESTATE SERVICES LLC et al

On October 9, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Oct 09, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 17, 2026

JAY EDWIN FREEMAN vs OLYMPIA UNION GOSPEL MISSION

On October 8, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Oct 08, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2026

MATTHEW CROASDILL et al vs JO-ANN HUYNH

On October 8, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Oct 08, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 09, 2026

YASMANI ORDAZ SAEZ vs STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY et al

On October 7, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Oct 07, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Admin Appeals

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 09, 2026

INDEPENDENCE CAPITAL RECOVERY LLC vs KRISTEN JENKINS

On October 5, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Oct 05, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 07, 2026

D R et al vs NORTH THURSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

On October 2, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Oct 02, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 04, 2026

SHAWN PATRICK BEEKMAN vs STATE DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING

On October 1, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Oct 01, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Admin Appeals

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 06, 2026

S A P vs STATE OF WASHINGTON

On September 30, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Sep 30, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 02, 2026

INNOVATIONS HUMAN TRAFFICKING COLLABORATIVE vs JERI MOOMAW

On September 28, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Sep 28, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2026

FINANCE OF AMERICA REVERSE LLC vs DONALD L MALSTROM et al

On September 25, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Sep 25, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 26, 2026

Minor Settlement of SOPHIA CECILIA DUENAS

On September 25, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Sep 25, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

General Probate

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 29, 2026

CHRISTOPHER A DRUMHELLER vs STATE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

On September 23, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Sep 23, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 25, 2026

GLOBAL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION vs DOUGLAS ALLAN KAAPANA

On September 23, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Sep 23, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 24, 2026

BANK OF AMERICA NA vs DOROTHEA D BUSHAY

On September 22, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Sep 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 24, 2026

LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING LLC vs STEPHEN GERRER et al

On September 21, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Sep 21, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 23, 2026

LENDMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC vs RHEA N KAPLIN

On September 18, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Thurston County. Judge John C. Skinder presiding.

Filed

Sep 18, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. John C. Skinder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John C. Skinder

Court

Superior

County

Thurston County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 19, 2026

Discover if Hon. Skinder is the right judge for your case based on their ruling history.

View Analytics Dashboard

About

John C. Skinder
Current Appointment Thurston County Superior Court	Thurston County Superior Court
Education J.D., Seattle University School of Law - 1996 Bachelor's degree, College of William and Mary - 1992	J.D., Seattle University School of Law - 1996 Bachelor's degree, College of William and Mary - 1992

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	WA - Thurston County Superior Court
Clerk phone:	+1 (360) 786-5430
Judicial Assistant:	+1 (360) 786-5563

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Judge	Thurston County Superior Court	Thurston County, Washington
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney	Prosecuting Attorney's Office	Thurston County, Washington
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney	Prosecuting Attorney's Office	Lewis County, Washington