Judge Michael E. Schwartz: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Pierce County Superior Court, Department 3

Appointed By: Gov. Jay R. Inslee

Biography

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz is a judge for the Pierce County Superior Court in Washington. He was appointed to the bench by Governor Jay Inslee in 2015. He filled the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Thomas P. Larkin (Ret.).

Schwartz enlisted in the United States Army in 1981, where he served as a military police officer in the 25th Infantry Division stationed at the Schofield Barracks in Waikiki Beach, Hawai’i. After his military service ended in 1984, Schwartz attended the Honolulu Police Academy, after which time he became a metropolitan police officer with the Honolulu Police Department. He served as an officer there until 1989.

Schwartz received a B.A. in finance from the University of Hawai’i in 1988. He went on to complete a J.D. from the University of Puget Sound School of Law in 1992.

Schwartz began his legal career as a partner at Harrison, Ladenburg & Schwartz PLLC and practiced in that capacity until going into solo practice at his own law firm in 1999. His practice focused primarily on criminal defense as well as complex civil litigation in both the state and federal courts.

His memberships included the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, the Washington State Bar Association, and the Honorable Robert J. Bryan American Inn of Court (president). In addition, Schwartz served as president of the Lion Youth Football Club and the Greater Puget Sound Youth Football League.

Schwartz, who was born and raised in Bowie, Maryland, is married and has four children.

Recent Cases by Hon. Michael E. Schwartz

26-3-01680-1

On May 22, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

May 22, 2026

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Case #

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Case Last Refreshed

Jun 23, 2026

26-3-01667-3

On May 22, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

May 22, 2026

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Case #

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Case Last Refreshed

Jun 23, 2026

SEBASTIAN COLE STRICKLAND VS. IZLYNN MARIE REYNOLDS

On April 24, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Apr 24, 2026

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Case #

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Case Last Refreshed

May 18, 2026

26-3-01387-9

On April 24, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Apr 24, 2026

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Case #

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Case Last Refreshed

Jun 16, 2026

ESTATE OF ROBERT LEE HARRIS

On April 21, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Apr 21, 2026

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

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May 18, 2026

BRYAN EDWARD THOMAS VS. HEAVEN DEMETRIA KELLY

On April 9, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Apr 09, 2026

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

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May 04, 2026

ELIZABETH CARDENAS-ANAYA VS. SILVESTRE DIMAS III

On April 9, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Apr 09, 2026

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

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Case Last Refreshed

May 07, 2026

SAMUEL KRISTAN SOLBERG VS. LYNN SMITH SOLBERG

On April 1, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Apr 01, 2026

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

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Apr 24, 2026

BONNIE ALAINE RODRIGUEZ VS. DAVID ANDREW HOHN

On March 27, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Mar 27, 2026

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

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Apr 24, 2026

ANDREA SHIPLEY VS. PRESTON GARRETT SHIPLEY

On March 23, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Mar 23, 2026

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

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May 06, 2026

MITZI GONZALEZ SARMIENTO VS. ANTONIO DE JESUS OREA VIVEROS

On March 19, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Mar 19, 2026

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

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Apr 21, 2026

JUAN JESUS SANCHEZ VS. JAZMIN YESICA CHAVEZ

On March 13, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Mar 13, 2026

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Case #

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May 07, 2026

ESTATE OF MOHAMMED HUSSEIN ABD ALI MANDALAWI

On February 4, 2026 an estate case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Feb 04, 2026

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

Estate

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 05, 2026

ESTATE OF TERESA RED EAGLE

On February 2, 2026 an estate case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Feb 02, 2026

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

Estate

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 12, 2026

ESTATE OF TROY DAVID GRINBERGS

On January 28, 2026 an estate case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Jan 28, 2026

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

Estate

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 09, 2026

ESTATE OF JEAN ADELINE FRASER

On January 26, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Jan 26, 2026

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

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Case Last Refreshed

Apr 08, 2026

ESTATE OF VIRGINIA LEE SLINGER

On January 21, 2026 an estate case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Jan 21, 2026

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

Estate

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 23, 2026

HEATHER LAYNE HUNTER VS. DIRA AN

On January 15, 2026 an uresa recip resp in-county (3) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Jan 15, 2026

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

URESA Recip Resp In-County (3)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 17, 2026

ESTATE OF KATHERINE JEAN WINSLOW

On January 6, 2026 an estate case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Jan 06, 2026

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

Estate

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 20, 2026

IN RE GUARDIANSHIP/CONSERVATORSHIP OF LAYLA MALAYSIA ALLEN

On December 15, 2025 a minor guardianship custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Dec 15, 2025

Status

Bankruptcy

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

Minor Guardianship Custody

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Guardianship,Conservatorship

Case Last Refreshed

May 19, 2026

ESTATE OF PATRICIA ANGELA RUSSELL

On December 9, 2025 an estate case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Dec 09, 2025

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

Estate

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 12, 2025

ESTATE OF MAJOR ARTHUR DANIELS

On December 5, 2025 an estate case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Dec 05, 2025

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

Estate

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 19, 2025

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS. LACY NICOLE HANSON

On December 4, 2025 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Dec 04, 2025

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Case #

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Case Last Refreshed

May 13, 2026

ESTATE OF CATHERINE ANN PERRIN

On November 20, 2025 an estate case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pierce County. Judge Michael E. Schwartz presiding.

Filed

Nov 20, 2025

Judge

Hon. Michael E. Schwartz 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael E. Schwartz

Court

Pierce County

County

Pierce County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

Estate

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 03, 2025

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About

Michael E. Schwartz
Current Appointment Pierce County Superior Court, Department 3	Pierce County Superior Court, Department 3
Education J.D., University of Puget Sound School of Law - 1992 B.A., University of Hawai’i - 1988	J.D., University of Puget Sound School of Law - 1992 B.A., University of Hawai’i - 1988

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	WA - Pierce County Superior Court
Clerk phone:	+1 (253) 798-7455
Clerk Fax:	+1 (253) 798-3428
Department 3:	+1 (253) 798-7576

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Judge	Pierce County Superior Court	Pierce County, Washington
Sole Practitioner	Law Office of Michael Schwartz	Pierce County, Washington
Partner	Harrison, Ladenburg & Schwartz PLLC	Pierce County, Washington