Judge Susan J. Craighead: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

King County Superior Court, Department 18, Courtroom E-835

Appointed By: Gov. Christine O'Grady Gregoire

Biography

The Hon. Susan J. Craighead is a judge for the King County Superior Court in Washington. She was appointed to the bench by former Governor Christine Gregoire on September 6, 2007, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Michael Spearman.

Prior to her appointment, Craighead sat as a commissioner for the Washington Court of Appeals for five years. Before that, she was a staff attorney for the Seattle-King County Public Defender Association and a law clerk for the Hon. Shirley Abrahamson of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin.

Craighead has also spent time as a court reporter and staff writer for the Louisville Courier-Journal as well as an employee of the Federal Defenders of San Diego and the Alabama Capital Representation Resource Center.

Her memberships have included the Washington Board for Court Education, the Board of the Program for Early Parent Support, and the Advisory Board of the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration. She also sat on the Task Force on Expediting Dependency/Termination Appeals (chair) and the King County Bar Association’s Community Legal Service Committee (co-chair).

Craighead earned a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Oxford. She then completed a J.D. at Harvard Law School.

Recent Cases by Hon. Susan J. Craighead

TARDIF VS BELLEVUE COLLEGE ET AL

On December 9, 2019 a commerical case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Dec 09, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

Commerical

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 22, 2025

DIZARD VS HORIZON RESTAURANT PARTNERS ET ANO

On December 2, 2019 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Dec 02, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 22, 2025

MOREIRA ET ANO VS STEVLINGSON

On November 25, 2019 a tort /motor vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Nov 25, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

Tort /Motor Vehicle

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 22, 2025

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS MELFI, DAVID ALEX

On October 10, 2019 a possession of stolen vehicle case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Oct 10, 2019

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

POSSESSION OF STOLEN VEHICLE

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 25, 2025

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS HENDERSON, KEVIN CHRISTOPHER

On September 26, 2019 a burglary 2nd degree case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Sep 26, 2019

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

BURGLARY 2ND DEGREE

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 27, 2025

MA VS AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

On September 23, 2019 a motion to confirm/compel arbitration award case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Sep 23, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

Motion to Confirm/Compel Arbitration Award

Practice Area

Arbitration

Matter Type

Confirm,Vacate Arbitration

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

CANDY VS KENDALL

On May 7, 2019 a domestic violence case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

May 07, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

Domestic Violence

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 09, 2025

STATE OF WASHINGTON VS STOCHEL, DANIEL RYAN

On April 30, 2019 a rape-third degree no consent case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Apr 30, 2019

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

RAPE-THIRD DEGREE NO CONSENT

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 09, 2025

PHELPS NKA VS PHELPS

On February 27, 2019 a dissolution w/ children case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Feb 27, 2019

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

Dissolution w/ Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

NAMBIAPARAMBIL ET ANO VS FRANCIS

On November 9, 2018 a parenting plan / child support case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Nov 09, 2018

Status

Foreign,Sister-State Judgment

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

Parenting Plan / Child Support

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Child Support

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

TARRACH VS TARRACH

On November 9, 2018 a dissolution w/ children case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Nov 09, 2018

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/ Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

AUSTIN VS AUSTIN

On November 9, 2018 a legal separation case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Nov 09, 2018

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

Legal Separation

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

HAMON VS HAMON

On November 8, 2018 a dissolution w/ children case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Nov 08, 2018

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Court Category

Dissolution w/ Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

SMITH VS SMITH

On November 7, 2018 a dissolution w/ children case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Nov 07, 2018

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/ Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

KIM VS KIM

On November 6, 2018 a dissolution w/ children case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Nov 06, 2018

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/ Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

STUART VS STUART

On November 6, 2018 a dissolution w/ children case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Nov 06, 2018

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/ Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

LARSEN VS LARSEN

On November 5, 2018 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Nov 05, 2018

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 02, 2023

18-3-06993-2

On November 5, 2018 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Nov 05, 2018

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

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Case Last Refreshed

Feb 14, 2021

DONEEN VS DONEEN

On November 5, 2018 a legal separation case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Nov 05, 2018

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Legal Separation

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

COX VS SMITH

On November 5, 2018 a dissolution w/ children case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Nov 05, 2018

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/ Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

CARDWELL VS DUERR

On November 1, 2018 a dissolution w/ children case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Nov 01, 2018

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/ Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

WAGNER VS WAGNER

On October 31, 2018 a dissolution w/ children case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Oct 31, 2018

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/ Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

NGUYEN ET ALL VS TRINH

On October 31, 2018 a parenting plan / child support case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Oct 31, 2018

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Parenting Plan / Child Support

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Child Support

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

KASER VS KASER

On October 30, 2018 a dissolution w/ children case was filed in the jurisdiction of King County. Judge Susan J. Craighead presiding.

Filed

Oct 30, 2018

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Susan J. Craighead 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Susan J. Craighead

Court

King County

County

King County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution w/ Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2021

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About

Susan J. Craighead
Current Appointment King County Superior Court, Department 18, Courtroom E-835	King County Superior Court, Department 18, Courtroom E-835
Education J.D., Harvard Law School Master's degree, University of Oxford Bachelor's degree, Princeton University	J.D., Harvard Law School Master's degree, University of Oxford Bachelor's degree, Princeton University

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	WA - King County Superior Court
Clerk phone:	+1 (206) 477-1435

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Judge	Superior Court of Washington	King County, Washington
Commissioner	Washington Court of Appeals	King County, Washington
Staff Attorney	Seattle-King County Public Defender Association	King County, Washington
Law Clerk	Supreme Court of Wisconsin	Dane County, Wisconsin