Judge Thad E. Scudder: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Cowlitz County Superior Court, Department 2

Appointed By: Gov. Jay R. Inslee

Biography

Hon. Thad E. Scudder is a judge for the Cowlitz County Superior Court in Washington. He was appointed to the bench by Governor Jay Inslee in 2020 to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Stephen Warning (Ret.).

Scudder received a B.A. in political science from the University of Minnesota in 1986. He then completed a J.D. at Seattle University School of Law in 1990.

He began his legal career at the Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, where he worked as a deputy prosecuting attorney for one year. Scudder left his position there in 1991 to open his own private solo practice, a position he maintained for the next twenty years. During that time, his practice focused primarily on criminal defense and criminal appeals along with family law cases in Family and Juvenile Court.

Then, in 2013, Scudder joined the Cowlitz County Office of Public Defense, where he began as a defense attorney before working his way up through the ranks to become the agency’s director in 2018. He was working in that capacity at the time of his appointment to the Superior Court bench.

In addition, Scudder sat as a pro tem judge in the Cowlitz County District Court for sixteen years.

His board memberships have included the ARC of Cowlitz County, the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Bar Association, the Washington Defender Association, Been There Done That, the Cowlitz County Homelessness Task Force, and the Cowlitz Youth Soccer Association.

Scudder and his wife, Trish, have four children. At the time of his appointment, the family resided in Longview.

Recent Cases by Hon. Thad E. Scudder

Stephanie Renee Teel and Greggery Ray Teel

On February 10, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Feb 10, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 11, 2026

JAIDE DAWN CARLSTROM vs Brandon James Baker

On February 5, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Feb 05, 2026

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Child Support

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 06, 2026

ERIC MICHAEL GOODFELLOW vs ALEXIS JADE CREAGER

On February 4, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Feb 04, 2026

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Child Support

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 06, 2026

Ajaunae V Jones Hutto and Ruby Alice Jones Hutto

On January 20, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 20, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

Estate of John L Ball

On January 20, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 20, 2026

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 23, 2026

KATHERINE ANN KIRKLAND vs Mark Wade White

On January 16, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 16, 2026

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 23, 2026

JENNIFER DENISE SWIFT vs ANDREW CARL HUFFMAN

On January 16, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 16, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 23, 2026

ROBERT FOREST JENNINGS vs MARGARET LYNN AUMAN

On January 15, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 15, 2026

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

MELISSA REA GALINDO vs KELLI MARIE GREENWOOD

On January 15, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 15, 2026

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

Estate of Marilyn V Lessard

On January 15, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 15, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

TABATHA JOSIPHINE OLATUNJI vs ANTHONY MICHAEL ARENA

On January 15, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 15, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

ELIZABETH ALEJANDRA PICKELL vs MIA ANI SIZEMORE

On January 15, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 15, 2026

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 23, 2026

ASHLEE DIANE RHINES vs BRAXTON NEWTON et al

On January 13, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 13, 2026

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

Estate of Noreen Margaret Mueggler

On January 13, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 13, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

KENNETH HIRAM ALLEN vs Sherry L Linbald

On January 13, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 13, 2026

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

Estate of Karen D Hopkins

On January 13, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 13, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

Estate of Leroy Hart, Jr

On January 13, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 13, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

Hailey Suzanne McCain vs Chaz Mooney

On January 13, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 13, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

Mersadiez Rain Crandall vs Jason Lee Crandall

On January 12, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 12, 2026

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

Angelina Elizabeth Blanco vs Kim Chapman

On January 12, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 12, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

Idaho Housing and Finance Association vs Tabitha Schoenberg et al

On January 12, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 12, 2026

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Unlawful Detainer

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

KODEE PAUL VISITACION CHASE vs Christina Lynn Welch

On January 9, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 09, 2026

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Child Support

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

Estate of Faith Elizabeth Jones

On January 8, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 08, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

Estate of Robert Chilson

On January 8, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cowlitz County. Judge Thad E. Scudder presiding.

Filed

Jan 08, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Thad E. Scudder 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thad E. Scudder

Court

Superior

County

Cowlitz County, WA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2026

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

View Analytics Dashboard

About

Thad E. Scudder
Current Appointment Cowlitz County Superior Court, Department 2	Cowlitz County Superior Court, Department 2
Education J.D., Seattle University School of Law - 1990 B.A., University of Minnesota - 1986	J.D., Seattle University School of Law - 1990 B.A., University of Minnesota - 1986

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	WA - Cowlitz County Superior Court
Clerk phone:	+1 (360) 577-3016
Judicial Assistant:	+1 (360) 414-5543

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Judge	Cowlitz County Superior Court	Cowlitz County, Washington
Director	Office of Public Defense	Cowlitz County, Washington
Defense Attorney	Office of Public Defense	Cowlitz County, Washington
Pro Tem Judge	Cowlitz County District Court	Cowlitz County, Washington
Sole Practitioner	Thad E. Scudder, Attorney at Law	Cowlitz County, Washington
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney	Prosecuting Attorney's Office	Cowlitz County, Washington