Judge John R. Ruhl - Professional Background & Legal Expertise

Biography

The Hon. John R. Ruhl is a judge for the King County Superior Court in Washington. He was appointed to the bench by Governor Jay Inslee on April 1, 2014, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Jay White.

Ruhl earned a bachelor’s degree in history and journalism from Seattle University in 1974. He spent the next year working as a newspaper reporter before attending Notre Dame Law School, where he completed a J.D. in 1978.

After graduating from law school, Ruhl began his legal career as a law clerk for the Hon. Edward Reed of the Washington State Court of Appeals (Division II). He then entered into private practice the following year, representing clients in the transportation and financial services industries in business and commercial matters.

Ruhl started as an associate at Sax & MacIver. During his tenure there, he rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a partner. Then, in 1985, he joined Merkel Caine & Donohue. He worked in that capacity until 1989, at which time he became a managing partner at Hiscock & Barclay.

In 1995, Ruhl became a member of Eisenhower & Carlson. He spent the next thirteen years in that role before he was named managing partner of the Seattle Office in 2008. Two years later, he joined another firm, Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, where he practiced as head of the Transportation Law Group until his appointment to the bench.

His memberships have included the Puget Sound Chapter of the Risk Management Association (president), the King County Bar Association (president), the King County Dispute Resolution Center (director).

Recent Cases by Hon. John R. Ruhl

VALUE VILLAGE VS VASQUEZ-RAMIREZ ET ANO

On February 9, 2021 an administrative law review case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Feb 09, 2021

Status

Appealed

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Category

Administrative Law Review

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Admin Appeals

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

MCLENNAN VS SEPHORA USA INC

On February 8, 2021 a personal injury case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Feb 08, 2021

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Category

Personal Injury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

ARSHAD VS NAZIR

On January 26, 2021 a legal separation case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Jan 26, 2021

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Category

Legal Separation

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

NELSON ET ANO VS SNOW & CO INC

On January 21, 2021 a commerical case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Jan 21, 2021

Status

Trial Verdict

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Category

Commerical

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

BRUSSA VS BRUSSA

On January 15, 2021 a dissolution w/ children case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Jan 15, 2021

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Category

Dissolution w/ Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

BMO HARRIS BANK VS MEKHRIDZE

On January 11, 2021 a commerical case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Jan 11, 2021

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Category

Commerical

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

RECK ET AL VS WASHINGTON STATE OF ET ANO

On January 11, 2021 a tort /motor vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Jan 11, 2021

Status

Summary Judgment

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Category

Tort /Motor Vehicle

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

LEAVELLE VS NORTHERN EAGLE ET ANO

On January 8, 2021 a personal injury case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Jan 08, 2021

Status

Trial Verdict

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Category

Personal Injury

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

REID VS FRASERS BOILER SERVICE INC

On January 8, 2021 a wrongful death case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Jan 08, 2021

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Wrongful Death

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 02, 2022

DAVIS ET AL VS LAKE WASHINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

On January 6, 2021 a tort /other case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Jan 06, 2021

Status

Summary Judgment

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Tort /Other

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

COX VS COX

On January 4, 2021 a dissolution no children case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Jan 04, 2021

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Dissolution no Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

18-3-07105-8

On January 4, 2021 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Jan 04, 2021

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Case Last Refreshed

Feb 13, 2021

VISSER VS VISSER

On January 4, 2021 a dissolution w/ children case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Jan 04, 2021

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Dissolution w/ Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

IN RE LEEANNA RUTH MICKELSON

On January 4, 2021 an estate case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Jan 04, 2021

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Category

Estate

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

SEATTLE CITY OF VS PAN ET ANO

On October 15, 2020 a miscellaneous, civil (2) case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Oct 15, 2020

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Category

Miscellaneous, Civil (2)

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

LIBERTY MUTUAL FIRE INS CO VS STEFANOS

On October 6, 2020 a tort /motor vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Oct 06, 2020

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Tort /Motor Vehicle

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

CONTRACTORS BONDING AND INS CO VS JOHNSON

On May 12, 2020 a commerical case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

May 12, 2020

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Commerical

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

BRUNETTE VS KARABEIKA

On April 28, 2020 a legal separation case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Apr 28, 2020

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Legal Separation

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

WELLS FARGO BANK VS LAW

On April 8, 2020 a commercial case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Apr 08, 2020

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Commercial

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 02, 2022

BOEING EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION VS SLAUGHTER

On March 30, 2020 a commerical case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Mar 30, 2020

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Commerical

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

ZHANG ET ANO vs JD BERGEVIN HOMES INC ET AL

On March 11, 2020 a commercial case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Mar 11, 2020

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Category

Commercial

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 30, 2022

BOEING EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION VS IVY

On March 2, 2020 a commerical case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Mar 02, 2020

Status

Summary Judgment

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Commerical

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS SCOTT, EBON SHALONE

On February 21, 2020 a sex offend/fln fail to reg case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Feb 21, 2020

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Category

SEX OFFEND/FLN FAIL TO REG

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

SPRINGBROOK RESERVE CONDOMINIUM ASSN VS LEE ET ANO

On February 19, 2020 a foreclosure case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge John R. Ruhl presiding.

Filed

Feb 19, 2020

Status

Summary Judgment

Judge

Hon. John R. Ruhl 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John R. Ruhl

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Category

Foreclosure

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 02, 2022

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About

John R. Ruhl
Current Appointment King County Superior Court, Department 8, Courtroom E-847	King County Superior Court, Department 8, Courtroom E-847
Education B.A., Seattle University - 1974 J.D., Notre Dame Law School - 1978	B.A., Seattle University - 1974 J.D., Notre Dame Law School - 1978

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	WA - King County Superior Court
Clerk phone:	+1 (206) 477-1373

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Law Clerk	Washington State Court of Appeals	Pierce County, Washington
Partner	Sax and MacIver	King County, Washington
Partner	Merkel Caine & Donohue	King County, Washington
Managing Partner	Hiscock & Barclay	King County, Washington
Member	Eisenhower & Carlson	King County, Washington
Managing Partner	Eisenhower & Carlson	King County, Washington
Member	Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland	King County, Washington
Judge	Superior Court of Washington	King County, Washington